title: Thoracic air gun injuries in children.
abstract: Four cases of thoracic air gun injuries in children are presented. Potentially lethal injuries with penetration of the heart and lung occurred. All of the children were treated with surgical removal of the pellet, two from the ventricular myocardium, one from the right atrial appendage, and one from the right middle lobe of the lung. All of the patients survived and had an uneventful recovery. The need for regulating the use of air guns by children has been alluded to, in addition to the need for public education regarding the potential danger of air gun injuries.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006335:Heart Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*