Projectile Embolism From a Firearm Injury: A Case Report.

Projectile embolism resulting from firearm injuries is a rare but highly lethal complication when not diagnosed early. This report presents a case of projectile embolism from a firearm injury with an unusual entry site, the cerebral venous circulation, which subsequently migrates to the pulmonary circulation with a fatal outcome. A 24-year-old male patient was admitted to a high-complexity hospital due to a gunshot wound. A plain skull computed tomography (CT) revealed a left laminar subdural hematoma and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage with multiple metallic fragments embedded in the skull, some penetrating the galeal sinus, with perilesional bleeding. Contrast-enhanced chest tomography showed non-thrombotic embolism of metallic fragments in the pulmonary artery for the apical segment of the left upper lobe and right intraventricular regions. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a hyperechoic image of 3 mm in the subvalvular apparatus toward the interventricular septum. Subsequently, the patient experienced neurological deterioration with signs of cerebral edema and parieto-occipital epidural hematomas with metallic fragments and projectiles. Measures to counteract cerebral edema were initiated. Later, the patient developed mydriasis, the absence of brainstem reflexes, and experienced cardiac arrest. This report delineates a case of projectile embolism, highlighting a distinctive aspect characterized by an unusual entry point.

Ischemic Stroke Secondary to a Stab Wound to the Neck in a Young Adult.

Vertebral artery dissection is a common cause of stroke in young adults without predisposing risk factors for cerebrovascular disease. We describe the case of a 28-year-old patient who presented with an ischemic stroke secondary to a stab wound to the neck that affected the vertebral artery. A physical examination revealed neurological deterioration (Glasgow 8/15), a sutured neck wound, no palpable hematoma, no thrills, and no active bleeding. A computed tomography angiography revealed a left vertebral artery arteriovenous fistula with a component of a pseudoaneurysm, for which a neurointerventional consultation was carried out. Due to neurological compromise, the airway was secured, and because the case involved a posterior fossa infarction with compression of the fourth ventricle and obstructive secondary hydrocephalus, an external ventricular shunt was inserted by neurosurgery. A fistula occlusion was performed with five Axium coils and a vial of Squid 12; the vertebral artery was catheterized, and a craniotomy was performed to manage hydrocephalus with a 12-mm H2O collecting system. The patient was discharged on the tenth day after admission with sequelae of left hemiparesis (predominantly brachial) and no other deficits. There was no hemorrhagic transformation on the control computed tomography scans and no further complications.

Remolinos mesentéricos en la angiotomografía de paciente con hernia de Petersen y aparente trombosis mesentérica / Mesenteric swirl on angiotomography of a patient with Petersen's hernia and apparent mesenteric thrombosis

RESUMEN Introducción: Las imágenes diagnósticas son fundamentales para diagnosticar la trombosis de la vena mesentérica y la hernia de Petersen. Objetivo: Describir el tratamiento de una paciente que en angiotomografía presentó aparente trombosis de la vena mesentérica y hernia de Petersen. Caso clínico: Una paciente consultó por dolor abdominal tipo cólico, de predominio en epigastrio, irradiado a región dorsal. Por el cuadro clínico sugestivo de emergencia vascular se solicitó inmediatamente angiotomografía de vasos del tórax y abdomen. Las imágenes revelaron permeabilidad de la arteria mesentérica superior en su origen y en tercio proximal, se aprecia un giro de vasos (signo de remolino) a aproximadamente 7 cm de su origen, con aparente oclusión completa, por trombosis. En el mismo sitio donde se evidenció el giro de vasos, se apreció aparente inicio de trombosis de la vena mesentérica superior. Se realizó procedimiento quirúrgico en el cual se encontró espacio de Petersen y herniación de todo el intestino delgado a través de dicho espacio. La laparotomía evidenció que la paciente no cursó con trombosis, sino que era un efecto dado por la imagen y el hallazgo que se veía era secundario a la hernia de Petersen. Conclusiones: La presencia del signo de remolino en una angiotomografía es muy importante pero no definitiva en el diagnóstico de la hernia de Petersen.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Diagnostic images are essential for the diagnosis of mesenteric vein thrombosis and Petersen's hernia. Objective: To describe the treatment of a patient who presented apparent thrombosis of the mesenteric vein and Petersen's hernia on angiotomography. Clinical case: A patient consulted for colicky abdominal pain predominantly in the epigastrium, radiating to the dorsal region. Due to the clinical picture suggestive of vascular emergency, an angiotomography of the vessels of the thorax and abdomen was immediately requested. The images revealed patency of the superior mesenteric artery at its origin and in the proximal third, appreciating a vessel turn (swirl sign) approximately 7 cm from its origin with apparent complete occlusion due to thrombosis. In the same place where the twisting of the vessels was evident, the initiation of apparent thrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein was appreciated. A surgical procedure was performed in which Petersen's space and herniation of the entire small intestine through this space were found. The laparotomy showed that the patient did not have thrombosis at any time, but that it was an effect given by the image and the finding that was seen was secondary to Petersen's hernia. Conclusions: The presence of the swirl sign on an angiotomography is very important but not definitive in the diagnosis of Petersen's hernia.