gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: A gas pistol is a non-lethal weapon for self-defense. However it can be modified to fire projectiles and cause damage.

Methods: A 43 y.o. male had been shot from a distance of 1 meter in the neck region. He experienced immediate pain in his right shoulder, pain in his throat, cough. His neck swelled and his voice changed a bit. He did not have any significant bleeding.

At admission there were several pin-sized wounds in the neck, signs of massive subcutaneous emphysema, no bleeding, no pneumomediastinum and no pneumothorax. He had no vocal cord paralysis or laryngeal oedema.

CT and x-ray studies revealed 4 foreign bodies in the neck. One was in the arc of the cricoid cartilage on the right, one in C4-C5 abutting the vertebral artery foramen on the right, one abutting the T1 root on the left and one in theT1 body.

Results: Airway was secured via inferior tracheotomy and the cricoid foreign body was removed using combined open and endoscopic approach.

It was judged by the neurosurgeons that an attempt to remove the remaining projectiles exceeds the risk of damage to vertebral artery and the patient was left on follow-up. Currently he is without any complaints except for pain in his left arm and shoulder.

Conclusions: Modified gas pistols may cause different degree of damage depending on type and number of projectiles. Although rarely life threatening, damages by modified gas pistols may cause continuous or life-time discomfort and diminished quality of life.

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