Case Report: Facial injury due to a firearm projectile in a Brazilian adolescent

Abstract

Background: Deaths and injuries from firearms are significant public health problems. This article presents a case of face injury caused by a firearm projectile with atrial involvement. Case report: A 13-year-old male Black patient was admitted as an emergency victim of an accident caused by a firearm projectile. On physical examination, a hemorrhage was diagnosed in the right ear pinna region from the wound, and an increase of volume, of hardened consistency, in the right genic region, suggestive of local infection. On radiographic examination, a radiopaque, dense, foreign body was identified in the right zygomatic process region. The patient underwent surgery to remove the projectile. Conclusion: The care provided to the victim of a firearm injury depends on the systemic conditions, the available professional staff, the resources and the infrastructure of the environment. Prior to initiating therapy, it is important to stabilize the patient to ensure survival.