Management of asymptomatic intracardiac missiles using echocardiography.
A child sustained a low-velocity airgun pellet injury to the left ventricle. No cardiovascular compromise was produced. The foreign body was localized by two-dimensional echocardiography to the left ventricular chamber near the mitral valve, and subsequently removed through a left atriotomy incision. In asymptomatic patients, missiles clearly embedded within a chamber wall may be observed; all others should be removed. Two-dimensional echocardiography is recommended for localization.
Robison
R J
RJ
Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis.
Brown
J W
JW
Caldwell
R
R
Stone
K S
KS
King
H
H
D002648:Child; D004452:Echocardiography; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*