@article{article_1720954, title={Radiologically Undetected Foreign Body in a Gunshot Injury: A Case Report}, journal={Cerasus Journal of Medicine}, volume={2}, pages={173–177}, year={2025}, DOI={10.70058/cjm.1720954}, author={Temiz Bekce, Suzan}, keywords={chest wall ınjuries, foreign bodies, gunshot wounds, thoracic ınjuries, wounds penetrating}, abstract={Gunshot injuries pose clinical and medicolegal challenges, with morbidity and mortality closely linked to the location and severity of the trauma. Prompt assessment and timely intervention are crucial. We present a case of a shotgun-related injury involving a plastic cartridge wad, undetectable by imaging but incidentally discovered embedded in the thoracic wall during surgery. If left untreated, it could have resulted in complications such as empyema. The patient, with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 11, exhibited a lateral thoracic wall hematoma, comminuted rib fractures, and radiologically visible shotgun pellets. Posterolateral thoracotomy revealed the wad within the chest wall musculature, which was surgically removed. The patient was discharged without complications on postoperative day 12. This case illustrates that not all foreign bodies in firearm injuries are metallic. Radiolucent materials may be missed and pose infectious risks. It also provides valuable information for estimating shooting distance and contributes to forensic assessment.}, number={3}, publisher={Giresun Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi}