A Cervical Spine Gunshot Injury without Bone or Neurological Deficits

Abstract

Missile injuries of the spine have been reported in the literature. The neurosurgical concern in such injuries is the degree of damage sustained as a result of the bullet traversing through the bone and neural tissues, and their effect on long-term follow-up. This report describes a case of gunshot traversing the cervical vertebral body, the spinal cord and the posterior element without any bone destruction or neurological deficit. The patient was managed conservatively with long-term follow-up clinically and radiologically, with excellent recovery. Surgery should be served for specific cases according to the severity of the trauma and its effect.