Whilst a missile embolizing to the right side of the heart is a common occurrence, embolization to the pulmonary arteries is rare. We report a case of a bullet entering through the right internal jugular vein to the right ventricle, and then migrating to the left pulmonary artery, and its management. To our knowledge, this is the first reported such case from the Indian subcontinent.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
MattoxKLBeallACJrEnnixCLDeBakeyME. Intravascular migratory bullets. Am J Surg1979;137:192–5.
2.
BarrettNR. Foreign bodies in the cardiovascular system. Br J Surg1950;37:416–45.
3.
LedgerwoodAM. The wandering bullet. Surg Clin No Am1981;57:97–109.
4.
StephensonLWWorkmanRBAldreteJSKarpRB. Bullet emboli to the pulmonary artery: A report of 2 patients and review of the literature. Ann Thorac Surg1976;21:333–6.
5.
PetsasAAGhahramaniARGreenR. A wandering bullet. Successful removal and a simple technique to prevent its migration. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg1975;69:954–6.
6.
MassadMSlimMS. Intravascular missile embolization in childhood: Report of a case, literature review, and recommendations for management. J Pediatr Surg1990;25:1292–4.
7.
EzberciFKargiH. Surgical management of a pulmonary artery missile embolism after an air rifle wound to the liver. South Med J1999;92:1207–9.
8.
Actis DatoGMArslanianADi MarizoPFilossoPLRuffiniE. Posttraumatic and iatrogenic foreign bodies in the heart: Report of fourteen cases and review of the literature. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg2003;126:408–14.
