Ballistic Reconstruction of a Migrating Bullet in the Parapharyngeal Space

Publication

Ballistic Reconstruction of a Migrating Bullet in the Parapharyngeal Space

Journal Paper/Review - Dec 7, 2015

Bächinger David, Bolliger Stephan, Huber Gerhard, Laske Roman D

Citation

Bächinger D, Bolliger S, Huber G, Laske R. Ballistic Reconstruction of a Migrating Bullet in the Parapharyngeal Space. Case Rep Otolaryngol 2015; 2015:245360.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Case Rep Otolaryngol 2015; 2015

Publication Date

Dec 7, 2015

Issn Print

2090-6765

Pages

245360

Brief description/objective

A 21-year-old male suffering from severe throat pain after being hit by a bullet in Syria claimed that he was shot through his eye and that the bullet subsequently descended behind his throat. Even though the first medical report stated that this course is implausible, meticulous workup provided evidence that the bullet might have entered the parapharyngeal space in a more cranial position than the one it was found eight months later. Our case highlights that bullets are able to move within the body, rendering ballistic reconstruction difficult. However, after removal of the bullet the patient's symptoms completely resolved.