J Cardiovasc Ultrasound.  2011 Jun;19(2):105-106. 10.4250/jcu.2011.19.2.105.

Retained Subintimal Pellet in a Carotid Artery

• Manousi M
• Sarantitis I
• Papadoulas S
• Diamantopoulos A
• Kakkos SK
• Lampropoulos G
• Tsolakis I

• KMID: 1980362
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4250/jcu.2011.19.2.105

Abstract

A shotgun pellet is depicted in the present image in a carotid artery under the intima, which remained intact without local complications for up to six months. There is lack of data regarding the natural history of such a carotid pellet, but the experience from the myocardium is that, in the absence of infection, completely embedded missiles are usually asymptomatic, tolerated well and may be left in place.

Keyword

Gunshot wound; Neck injuries; Foreign bodies; Carotid artery injuries

MeSH Terms

Carotid Arteries
Carotid Artery Injuries
Foreign Bodies
Hypogonadism
Mitochondrial Diseases
Myocardium
Natural History
Neck Injuries
Ophthalmoplegia
Wounds, Gunshot
Hypogonadism
Mitochondrial Diseases
Ophthalmoplegia

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A Duplex ultrasound six months after the injury depicts the subintimal pellet in the initial position with an acoustic shadow.

Reference

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2. Cogbill TH, Sullivan HG. Carotid artery pseudoaneurysm and pellet embolism to the middle cerebral artery following a shotgun wound of the neck. J Trauma. 1995. 39:763–767.

3. Coon T, Miller M, Shirazi F, Sullivan J. Lead toxicity in a 14-year-old female with retained bullet fragments. Pediatrics. 2006. 117:227–230.