Stray bullet in inferior vena cava

ABSTRACT

A young boy presented in emergency with history of being hit by a stray bullet injuring the right hypochondrium. Ultrasound of abdomen showed hemoperitoneum and the radiograph showed bullet in the pelvis. Exploratory laparotomy showed injuries to liver and cystic duct with tract leading retroperitoneally into the inferior vena cava. The bullet was found wandering inside the vena caval lumen. Stray bullets are presumed to remain limited to the soft tissues. However, the trajectory, impact velocity and the involved region ultimately determine the outcome and influence management