Penetrating air gun wound in the neck.
BACKGROUND
Injuries from air weapons can be serious and potentially fatal. It has been estimated that up to four million such weapons exist in UK households.


METHODS
We present the case of an 8-year-old boy who sustained a penetrating neck wound from an air gun. Use of the flexible laryngoscope in the resuscitation room allowed localization of the gun pellet in the airway.


CONCLUSIONS
This approach, combined with careful clinical assessment led to immediate removal by direct laryngoscopy, thus avoiding the morbidity of unnecessary surgical exploration.
Young
O
O
Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. oyoung@rcsi.ie
Watters
K
K
Sheahan
P
P
Hughes
J
J
D002648:Child; D003422:Critical Care; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D007819:Laryngeal Edema / Q000628:therapy; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D013352:Subcutaneous Emphysema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014827:Vocal Cords; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery