Penetrating bullet wound of chest with bronchoscopic removal of bullet.
A case history is presented of a patient with a penetrating bullet wound of the chest in whom the 0.38 caliber bullet was unexpectedly found entirely within the lumen of the right lower lobe bronchus at bronchoscopy. A second bullet penetrating the abdomen necessitated an extensive abdominal operation and delayed removal of the intrabronchial bullet by 1 day. During the 1 day interval, distal migration of the intrabronchial bullet caused technical problems in removal which are discussed. The bullet was successfully removed with a rigid bronchoscope without subsequent complications. The limited literature on this rare occurrence is reviewed, and suggestions are made concerning management.
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D001980:Bronchi / Q000293:injuries; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery*