Combat-related intradural gunshot wound to the thoracic spine: significant improvement and neurologic recovery following bullet removal

Retained lumbar intradural bullet fragment with neurological recovery after delayed removal of bullet: Case report and literature review

Civilian gunshot wound (GSW) to the spine is expected to increase in our environment due to the recent surge in violence and firearm attacks in the society either by herdsmen, bandits, unknown gunmen, or from exchange of gun fire with security personnel in response to insecurity issues. The management of GSW in the spine remains controversial, with no clear recommendations for surgical intervention by spine surgeons. In light of this, we report a case of civilian GSW to the lumbar spine in a 47-year-old female with resultant immediate paraplegia. Neuroradiological studies revealed a large bullet lodged in the left L2/3 spinal canal. There was a 4-week wait for consent for surgery to be obtained, with no improvement in motor function during the period. She underwent laminectomy and duratomy with removal of the bullet. Motor function returned 3 weeks after the surgery, and she was discharged home 8 weeks after the surgery, actively mobilizing on a Zimmer frame. The case report demonstrates the beneficial role of surgical intervention in properly selected patients, with resultant satisfactory functional neurological recovery.

Gunshot Wounds: Ballistics, Pathology, and Treatment Recommendations, with a Focus on Retained Bullets

As the epidemic of gunshot injuries and firearm fatalities continues to proliferate in the United States, knowledge regarding gunshot wound (GSW) injury and management is increasingly relevant to health-care providers. Unfortunately, existing guidelines are largely outdated, written in a time that high-velocity weapons and deforming bullets were chiefly restricted to military use. Advances in firearm technology and increased accessibility of military grade firearms to civilians has exacerbated the nature of domestic GSW injury and complicated clinical decision-making, as these weapons are associated with increased tissue damage and often result in retained bullets. Currently, there is a lack of literature addressing recent advances in the field of projectile-related trauma, specifically injuries with retained bullets. This review aims to aggregate the available yet dispersed findings regarding ballistics, GSW etiology, and treatment, particularly for cases involving retained projectiles.

Chinese expert consensus on the treatment of modern combat-related spinal injuries

The battlefield treatments of spinal and spinal cord injury vary from civilian settings. However, there is no unified battlefield treatment guidelines for spine trauma in PLA. An expert consensus is reached, based on spine trauma epidemiology and the concepts of battlefield treatment combined with the existing levels of military medical care in modern warfare. Since the specialized treatment for spine trauma are no significant difference between civilian settings and modern war, the first aid, emergency treatment and early treatment of spine trauma are introduced separately in three levels in this consensus. In Level I facilities, the fast and accurate evaluation of spine trauma followed by fixation and stabilization are recommended during the first-aid stage. Re-evaluation, further treatment for possible hemorrhagic shock, dyspnea and infection are recommended at Level II facilities. At Level III facilities, it is recommended to strengthen the intensive care and the prevention of urinary system and lung infection for the wounded with severe spinal injury, however, spinal surgery is not recommended in a battlefield hospital. The grading standard for evidence evaluation and recommendation was used to reach this expert consensus.

Spinal subdural hematoma: a rare case of spinal subdural hematoma complicating routine, minimally invasive lumbar discectomy and decompression and relevant literature review

We present a case of apparently uncomplicated lumbar decompression and discectomy with delayed postoperative neurological deterioration secondary to subdural hematoma at the thoracolumbar level of the spinal cord. Previously described subdural hematomas have occurred spontaneously or related to iatrogenic injury. Hitherto, no case of acute postoperative subdural hematoma has been reported in the postoperative setting in the absence of known iatrogenic dural injury. A 76-year-old male with central and lateral recess spinal stenosis underwent apparently uncomplicated bilateral L3-4 and left sided L4-5 decompressive partial laminectomies and discectomy. No incidental dural injury or cerebrospinal fluid leak was detected. On postoperative day two, he developed progressive, profound weakness, sensory changes and urinary retention. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a compressive subdural fluid collection extending between T11-L2, which was confirmed to be xanthochromic and under pressure superficial to an undisturbed arachnoid at emergent surgical exploration and evacuation. The mechanism of this complication is unknown. The patient went on to a complete recovery following surgical evacuation of the fluid via durotomy. While this is a very rare event, it reminds that a high index of suspicion is required with a low threshold for urgent imaging and intervention in the postoperative period upon development of unexpected, progressive and/or profound neurological findings regardless of intraoperative course.