Cervical gunshot wound: bullet trajectory on three-dimensional computed tomography scan

Abstract

An 18-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Unit shortly after having a gunshot wound in the neck. The patient developed an acute flaccid tetraplegia combined with arreflexia and sphincter impairment. He was promptly intubated and immobilized with a cervical spine collar. Threedimensional (3D) cervical computed tomography (CT) scan showed the bullet trajectory with entrance on the right side and no exit on the left side (Figure). A C4-C5 bone fracture was observed, as well as right jugular vein thrombosis. All the greater cervical arteries were incredibly spared. Threedimensional CT scan imaging techniques can be a useful tool for evaluating gunshot wounds of the cervical region 1 .