|
|
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 1997;26(4): 584-588. |
An Operative Case of Air-Gunshot Wound to the Thoracic Spine. |
Sung Joon Lim, Young Tae Kim, Ho Gyun Ha |
Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju, Korea. |
|
|
|
ABSTRACT |
The authors report a rare case of air gunshot wound to the thoracic spinal cord in Korea. A case of 17 year-old girl with a air-gunshot wound to the thoracic spine was presented with paraplegia. Radiologic studies revealed a bullet in the fifth thoracic spinal canal. The cerebrospinal fluid leaked through the entry point of the bullet was noted. After laminectomy and dural opening, a intramedullary hematoma with lodged bullet in the contused cord was found. They are removed successfully with any postoperative complications.
The bullet was composed of lead. We report this case focusing on the pathophysiology and surgical treatment with review of literatures. |
Key Words:
Air gunshot; Thoracic spine; Spinal cord injury |
|
|
|