Ariffin M, Noreen F, Nor Hamdan Y, Shaharuddin AR, Azmi B. Retained intraspinal bullet: a rare case in a visitor to malaysia - a case report.
Malays Orthop J 2012;
6:45-7. [PMID:
25279057 DOI:
10.5704/moj.1207.005]
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Firearm injuries to the spine commonly present with acute neurology caused by direct penetration or indirectly from concussive effects of bullet impact on the vertebral column. We report a case of delayed neurologic presentation of retained intra-spinal bullet in a 42 year-old African who had chronic low back pain and sciatica with a past history of gunshot injury to the spine and radiograph revealed a bullet at the L4-5 disc level. Intra-operative exploration showed a fibrous mass around the bullet compressing on the L4 existing nerve root and L5 traversing nerve root. Removal of the retained bullet resulted in a good clinical outcome with complete resolution of symptoms.
KEY WORDS
Intra-spinal bullet, gunshot injury.
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