Treatment strategy in a child with a retained bullet in the cerebellomedullary cistern

J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2012 Sep;10(3):192-4. doi: 10.3171/2012.5.PEDS1239. Epub 2012 Jul 13.

Abstract

A 6-year-old girl was admitted to our emergency room because of a gunshot wound in the posterior craniocervical junction. On admission, she was alert, but left hemiplegia and right hemiparesis were noted. Cranial CT scanning showed a retained bullet in the cerebellomedullary cistern without bone destruction. Moreover, fourth ventricle hemorrhage was observed. There were no signs of acute hydrocephalus. The patient underwent suboccipital craniectomy and C-1 laminectomy for bullet removal. Postoperatively, the patient experienced significant neurological improvement. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented case of a patient with a retained bullet in the cerebellomedullary cistern. The management strategies in such a unique case are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Cerebral Ventricles
  • Child
  • Cisterna Magna / injuries*
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies*
  • Humans
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wounds, Gunshot / complications
  • Wounds, Gunshot / diagnostic imaging*
  • Wounds, Gunshot / surgery*