Pellets in the Eye: Cerebral Aneurysm and Encephalomyeloneuropathy as Presenting Syndromes

Lead poisoning following retained gunshot pellets resulting in recurrent episodes of encephalomyeloneuropathy is rare and association of intracranial aneurysm with lead poisoning is interesting. The case report describes about a 58-year ayurvedic doctor who was hospitalized for recurrent abdominal pain and limb weakness appearing spontaneously and improving in a few days to weeks. He had 20 such attacks in last 30 years starting at 25 years after the gunshot wound that resulted in retention of 2 lead pellets in his skull. Cranial imaging demonstrated left posterior communicating aneurysm. His initial blood lead level was 206.10 µg/dl, and following chelation with oral d-penicillamine, the lead level declined and was asymptomatic. After 4-year follow-up, he developed subarachnoid hemorrhage, which was managed with intravascular coiling of the ruptured aneurysm. The gunshot pellets are generally not removed, especially, if they are in inaccessible location. Our patient highlights that such cases should be closely monitored.     

Digital infrared photography to develop GSR patterns†

Digital infrared photography can be used by crime scene investigators as a nondestructive test for examining gunshot residue (GSR) on dark and multi-colored fabrics found at the crime scene. When a firearm is discharged a plume of gunshot residue exits the barrel and creates a visible powder pattern on light-colored clothing at specific muzzle-to-target distances. GSR consists of nitrates and nitrites from burned and partially burned smokeless powder and carbon. When GSR patterns are found on dark or multi-colored clothing, the GSR pattern is not readily visible because of the background color of the cloth. A procedure for recording digital infrared images of GSR patterns on dark and multi-colored fabric was developed and tested on 10 samples of dark and multi-colored fabric. A 9?mm pistol was used to produce the GSR patterns on fabric-covered cardboard targets. Digital infrared images were photographed with a 35?mm Nikon D-70 camera using a 67?mm Tiffen® #87 infrared filter.     

猪后肢枪单伤创伤弹道超声显像实验研究

目的：探讨枪单伤创伤弹道显像规律及其病理基础。方法：应用高分辨率二维超声、多普勒血流成像技术以及病理检查观测猪单后肢软组织枪弹伤创伤弹道局部成像特点及其病理基础。结果：①高分辨率二维超声下,原发伤道有显著的特征,表现为走行迂曲、内径不一、回声随时间延长而变化的管状回声。②伤道周围组织回声,伤后逐渐增厚、紊乱。③多普勒血流模式下：距伤道较近的区域组织（震荡区,以变性为主）血流信号增多、血管内径扩张,信号以静脉为主。随时间延长,两区组织血流信号有减少趋势,但距伤道较近区域减少趋势愈明显。结果：①通过超声显像,可以清楚地观察原发伤道的形态、分布,了解伤道与毗邻组织器官的关系,这对于复杂伤道的治疗有重要意义。②原发作(包括挫伤区、震荡区）的二维超声和多普勒血流成像特点符合其病理基础和病理演变过程,应用多普勒血流成像可以基本判定原发伤道周围组织病变程度,有利于枪弹伤的治疗。     

Penetrating air gun wound in the neck

BACKGROUND: Injuries from air weapons can be serious and potentially fatal. It has been estimated that up to four million such weapons exist in UK households. CASE REPORT: We present the case of an 8-year-old boy who sustained a penetrating neck wound from an air gun. Use of the flexible laryngoscope in the resuscitation room allowed localization of the gun pellet in the airway. CONCLUSIONS: This approach, combined with careful clinical assessment led to immediate removal by direct laryngoscopy, thus avoiding the morbidity of unnecessary surgical exploration.     

The ability to act--multiple suicidal gunshot wounds

Multiple self-inflicted gunshot wounds are rare and usually present a challenge to the forensic pathologist in determining the manner of death. Determining a person’s capability to act following a gunshot wound can be of major importance in crime scene reconstruction and in differentiation between homicide and suicide. Questions concerning the possibility of physical activity following a given gunshot wound are repeatedly raised in court. We report herein three unusual cases of suicide involving multiple gunshot wounds; all the victims suffered gunshot wounds of the head without immediate incapacitation. In the first two cases, the head was target for two gunshots. Third case was a combination of two gunshots to the head and chest. In the text, we focus on the victim’s ability to act after the first shot, with regards to the character and localization of the gunshot wound. Also, we focus on findings that are typical for a repeated suicidal shot.     

创伤弹道的诱发肌电变化

用高速小质量钢珠射击10只雄性成年狗单后肢,在伤后1、3、6、8h分别测定距永久伤道0.5、1.5、3、4cm区的诱发肌动作电位(EMAP),同时切取组织作电镜检查,伤后8h进行清创和大体观察。实验结果表明:1、高速小质量钢珠弹伤的诱发肌电变化与超微结构变化相一致;2、距伤道0.5cm区持续显著地诱发肌电振幅、时程减小值可作为判定火器伤坏死组织界限的一项客观指标;3、随着时间增长,震荡区内、外层的损伤是可逆的。     

低温环境下羊肢体枪伤骨折早期三种固定方法的疗效对比

目的对比观察低温环境下羊肢体枪伤骨折后,采用三种不同固定方法的疗效。方法新疆绵羊15只,置于野外-25℃低温环境3h后,以77式手枪枪击一侧小腿,致胫骨中段骨折,伤后6h清创,骨折分别采用石膏外固定、外固定器固定和钢板内固定,然后连续观察伤口、骨折愈合和伤肢膝关节活动情况。结果钢板内固定组伤口愈合好,无感染;石膏及外固定器固定组,部分伤口及外固定针道有分泌物,培养有细菌生长。X线片见钢板内固定组骨折对线对位及愈合最好,外固定器组次之,石膏固定组最差。病理观察三个组均无骨髓炎,相比之下钢板内固定组骨生长及骨重建最快,石膏组最慢。骨折固定方法对肢体关节活动度及肌萎缩的影响,石膏组最大,钢板内固定组最小。结论低温环境下肢体枪伤骨折早期钢板内固定并一期闭合伤口,不仅不会增加伤道感染,相反还可以防止感染的发生,有利于伤口及骨折的愈合。     

高温高湿环境犬肢体火器伤细菌学定量观察

目的探讨高温高湿环境下火器伤弹道细菌定量变化及发生感染的时限,为这一特殊环境下火器伤软组织清创时 机、方法及抗生素的应用提供依据。方法将犬随机分为高温高湿（ＨＨＥ）组和常温常湿（ＮＥ）组,于火器伤后０、４、６、 ８、１２、２４ ｈ进行大体观察及细菌学定量变化的检测。结果伤肢肿胀、组织坏死和动物死亡时间,ＨＨＥ组均较ＮＥ组 严重和提前。细菌学定量检测ＨＨＥ组火器伤伤道细菌数在同一时间点比ＮＥ组高,随时间的延长呈显著增长趋势。 ＮＥ组１２ ｈ细菌数目可达引起感染的临界数值,而ＨＨＥ组８ ｈ时细菌数即达临界数值,较ＮＥ组明显提前。结论高 温高湿环境下火器伤后细菌繁殖快,感染时间提前且严重,强调及早、彻底的清创。     

犬下颌小口径枪弹贯通伤的伤情特点

目的 :了解小口径高速、高能制式枪弹伤的致伤特点。方法 :用国产 5 .80 mm制式枪弹致伤犬下颌 ,造成犬下颌硬、软组织复合贯通伤 ,用激光测速靶和高速 X线相机等测量弹道学数据 ,分析该模型的创伤弹道学特点 ;取伤后不同时间、伤道周围不同部位软组织进行组织病理观察 ,分析其伤情特点。结果 :5 .80 mm枪弹犬下颌贯通伤的创伤弹道学特点为撞击速度( 9 16 .18± 8.90 ) m/s,能量传递率 ( 8.5 9± 3.12 ) % ,致伤参数稳定 ,入口小 ,出口大 ,有瞬时空腔。伤情特点为 :局部伤情较复杂 ,损伤组织种类较多 ,包括皮肤、皮下、肌肉、血管、神经、骨组织等 ,特别是包含有下颌骨、面神经、三叉神经、牙齿、咀嚼肌等颌面部特有的组织器官 ;伤后 2～ 6 h组织病理变化主要表现为炎性渗出水肿 ,伤后 2 4～ 72 h以组织变性、坏死为主 ,72 h组织坏死范围大约为 0 .4～ 0 .8cm;伤后 7d组织病理变化以炎性或纤维组织增生为主。结论 :5 .80 mm枪弹犬下颌贯通伤模型的致伤参数稳定 ,致伤力中等 ,局部伤情较复杂 ,是具有良好代表性的颌面火器伤动物模型 ,在颌面枪弹创伤弹道学研究和战伤救治研究方面有广阔的应用前景。     

高温高湿环境颅脑火器伤后兔脑p38MAPK变化

目的 研究p38MAPK在高温高湿环境下颅脑火器伤后活化及其原因。方法 采用高温高湿颅脑枪伤模型,新西兰大白兔30只,随机分成常温[(22.0±0.5)℃、RH50%]对照组,高温高湿[(39.0±0.5)℃、RH80%~85%]枪伤后受热10和30min,1h、1.5h、2h组,每组5只。采用Westernblot检测脑匀浆p38MAPK活性,应用化学发光和X线片显示,凝胶图像分析仪半定量分析。结果 颅脑枪伤受高温高湿环境作用脑皮质和下丘脑的p38MAPK的活性受湿热后迅速增高,于受热1h达高峰,随后下降。下丘脑的p38MAPK活性比脑皮质高。结论 高温高湿环境颅脑火器伤后p38MAPK活性早期明显升高,参与了脑的继发性损害过程。