title: Multiple-projectile penetrating neck injury from a modified nail-containing gas pistol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Penetrating neck injuries result from missiles and stab wounds. A gas pistol is a non-lethal weapon for self-defence.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case where the use of a modified gun led to multiple injuries in a single shot. Four projectiles were embedded in the neck, one in the larynx and three in the cervical spine. The first was removed via a combined external and endoscopic approach, while the rest were put on follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reported case shows that damage from modified gas pistols, although rarely life threatening, may cause long term discomfort and diminished quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital "St. George", Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Dimitar Dimitrov
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Pazardzhikliev
keywords: Gas pistol; neck injury; penetrating