title: Lead toxicity and endoscopic removal of ingested firearm cartridges.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lead toxicity from the ingestion of a lead foreign body has been described in several case reports. Management of ingested live ammunition presents its own challenges due to the risk of accidental discharge. A safe and effective method of retrieving a live cartridge must be considered.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present two cases of lead toxicity due to intact firearm cartridge ingestion with the removal of the cartridges via endoscopy. The first case is of severe pediatric lead toxicity due to the ingestion of 30-mm rifle cartridges. The second case is an adult ingestion of .22 caliber cartridges resulting in mild lead toxicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These cases illustrate a diagnostic dilemma in both the diagnosis of lead toxicity and the removal of live ammunition from the stomach.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. hatten@ohsu.edu
authors: B W
authors: BW
authors: Hatten
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Bueso
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Craven
authors: R G
authors: RG
authors: Hendrickson
authors: B Z
authors: BZ
authors: Horowitz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015913:Chelation Therapy; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D007854:Lead