title: Stray bullet in inferior vena cava.
abstract: A young boy presented in emergency with history of being hit by a stray bullet injuring the right hypochondrium. Ultrasound of abdomen showed hemoperitoneum and the radiograph showed bullet in the pelvis. Exploratory laparotomy showed injuries to liver and cystic duct with tract leading retroperitoneally into the inferior vena cava. The bullet was found wandering inside the vena caval lumen. Stray bullets are presumed to remain limited to the soft tissues. However, the trajectory, impact velocity and the involved region ultimately determine the outcome and influence management.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Mayo Hospital, King Edward Medical University, Lahore. ahmed_uzairq@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ahmad Uzair
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.forename: Salman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.forename: Khalid Masood
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gondal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003549:Cystic Duct / Q000293:injuries; D004617:Embolism; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000293:injuries*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging