Lost and found: a unique foregut gastrointestinal bullet embolism

TL;DR

A bullet from a gunshot wound migrated to the gastrointestinal tract and was successfully managed without surgery.

Contribution

This case highlights non-operative management and the role of endoscopy in GI bullet embolism.

Findings

The bullet was found in the GI tract after initially entering through the posterior oropharynx.

Endoscopic techniques and imaging avoided unnecessary surgery.

Non-operative management was successful in this specific case of GI bullet embolism.

Abstract

Bullet embolism is a rare phenomenon where a bullet migrates from its original point of entry to a distant site within the body. This brief report describes a case of a bullet embolism entering the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through the posterior oropharynx. The patient initially presented with a gunshot wound to the left scapula, and the bullet was later identified in the GI tract. The patient was managed with a combination of endoscopic techniques and serial imaging, avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention. This case underscores the importance of comprehensive diagnostic strategies and tailored management in GI bullet embolism. It also emphasizes the utility of endoscopy in detecting GI tract injuries and highlights the successful use of non-operative management in specific scenarios.

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