Retrograde migration and endovascular retrieval of a venous bullet embolus.

Schroeder, Mary Elizabeth; Pryor, Howard I; Chun, Albert K; Rahbar, Rodeen; Arora, Subodh; Vaziri, Khashayar · J Vasc Surg · 2011

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Venous bullet embolism is a rare and complicated occurrence reported in approximately 0.3% of penetrating trauma. The management of bullet emboli is decided on a case-by-case basis, balancing the risk of the embolus itself against those associated with extraction. We report a case of a 19-year-old man who sustained a gunshot wound to the anterior chest, which migrated to the left internal iliac vein in a retrograde fashion. We were able to successfully retrieve the missile using an endovascular approach, thereby minimizing the morbidity associated with an open procedure.

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