An Intracerebral Penetration of Air Shotgun Pellet in Toddler: A Case without Neurological Sequelae

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A non-powder firearm including air shotgun remains a significant source of injury to children. It causes severe damage and can involve the brain, eyes, heart, abdomen, and other body parts.CASE REPORT: A toddler boy was accidentally shot by an air shotgun at the forehead, and there was no sign of neurological deficit, both before and after surgical removal of the pellet. Herein, we report a case of air shotgun pellet which penetrated a toddler’s head from the forehead, all the way up to the occiput. Removal of the pellet was successfully performed without eliciting any neurological sequelae.CONCLUSION: Air shotgun pellet may potentially cause severe injury to the central nervous system when the head is affected, which can be safely prevented by a prompt but deliberate surgical removal. The study would also like to emphasise the importance of education to reduce gunshot incidence in the pediatric population.