Firearm Projectile in the Maxillary Tuberosity Located by Adjunctive Examination of Wide-Field Optical Fluorescence

Abstract

Objective: Demonstrate the use of wide-field optical fluorescence as an adjunctive examination in a clinical routine to oral diagnosis. Background data: Use of wide-field optical fluorescence in the oral cavity has been restricted to topics related to the detection and diagnosis of oral cancer. Materials and methods: In a regular medical appointment, a 58-year-old female patient, without any complaint or oral symptom, underwent the complementary examination by wide-field optical fluorescence. A device with high-power light-emitting diode emitting light centered at a wavelength of (400 ± 10) nm and maximum irradiance of (0.040 ± 0.008) W/cm² was used for fluorescence visualization. Results: We report the location of a firearm projectile, intraosseous, in the maxillary tuberosity using wide-field optical fluorescence. Conclusions: It is evidenced that wide-field optical fluorescence, within a clinical routine, can provide relevant images and data, with an immediate result, without the use of ionizing radiation, enabling an efficient oral diagnosis.