A Migrating Retained Intracranial Bullet Presenting with Hydrocephalus and Alterations of Consciousness: A Case Report and Literature Review

authors:

avatar Mohammad Sadegh Masoudi 1 , 2 , * , avatar Fariborz Ghafarpasand 3 , avatar Shahaboddin Yousefi 4

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Trauma Research Center of AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Neurosurgery Department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Resident of Neurosurgery, Namazi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Resident of Neurosurgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Journal of Archives in Military Medicine: Vol.5, issue 3; e17168
published online: September 2, 2017
article type: Case Report
received: June 13, 2017
accepted: June 16, 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5812/jamm.17168

how to cite: Masoudi M S, Ghafarpasand F, Yousefi S. A Migrating Retained Intracranial Bullet Presenting with Hydrocephalus and Alterations of Consciousness: A Case Report and Literature Review. J Arch Mil Med. 2017;5(3):e17168. https://doi.org/10.5812/jamm.17168.

Abstract

Migrating intracranial bullets are a dilemma to neurosurgeons, as their management is challenging, and the removal process is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. They are also associated with alterations in consciousness and focal neurological defects. We herein report a 40-year-old man with a retained intracranial AK-47 bullet for 22 years, admitted to our emergency department with decreased level of consciousness. He was diagnosed with meningitis and obstructive hydrocephalus, given the pressure effect of the bullet over the aqueduct of Sylvius. He underwent placement of external ventricular drainage (EVD) and received broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, he passed away due to complications of meningitis. Postmortem examination revealed that the bullet had entered the anterior perforated substance from ethmoidal air cells and migrated to the brain ventricular system in 22 years. Accordingly, conservative management of intracranial retained bullets is recommended.

1. Introduction

Migration of retained intracranial metallic bullets and missile fragments is a complication of penetrating gunshot wounds (GSW), reported in 4.2% of all surviving civilians with GSWs (1). There are several reports in the literature regarding the migrating retained intracranial bullets (1-4). All these reports indicate a tendency for intracranial bullets to migrate through the ventricular system, cisternae, and cerebral hemispheres (5-8).

There are several hypotheses explaining the mechanism of migration of a retained metallic fragment within brain tissues. Higher gravidity of the bullet in comparison to the brain tissue, pulsatile force of the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and softening of the brain tissue through fragment trajectory are among the most common mechanisms (9). The presence of a bullet or metal missile fragment as a foreign body is associated with several complications, such as meningitis, abscess formation, CSF fistula, epilepsy, hematoma, hydrocephalus, altered level of consciousness, and confusion (2, 3, 5, 10, 11).

We herein report a migrating intracranial bullet, retained for 22 years, which had entered through ethmoidal air cells, migrated through the ventricles, and ended in the posterior part of the third ventricle, causing hydrocephalus and meningitis.

2. Case Presentation

A 40-year-old Afghan man presented to the emergency room with decreased level of consciousness and fever since several days ago. He had no medical history and was a warrior during the Afghan civil war (1995, 22 years ago). He remembered having a wound on his upper lip during a battle for which he did not receive any medical treatment, except wound care. He also reported several episodes of behavioral changes and speech problems without any evaluation. He migrated to Iran after 2 years, and by the age of 33 years, he had a relatively good health condition. He developed several episodes of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions for which he did not seek any medical assistance.

He was admitted to our center 3 years ago due to status epilepticus. Neuroimaging revealed a bullet in the calvarium (Figures 1 and 2). He was discharged with anticonvulsants and was not admitted to our center until 2017. He was in a good condition, and seizures were managed by anticonvulsants until 2017 when he suddenly presented to the hospital with decreased level of consciousness.

The Lateral Skull View of the Patient with an Intracranial Bullet
The Lateral Skull View of the Patient with an Intracranial Bullet
Figure 1.

The Lateral Skull View of the Patient with an Intracranial Bullet

The Anteroposterior View of the Patient with a Bullet in the Midline Position
The Anteroposterior View of the Patient with a Bullet in the Midline Position
Figure 2.

The Anteroposterior View of the Patient with a Bullet in the Midline Position

His Glasgow Coma scale (GCS) score on admission was 7 (M, 5; V, 1; E, 1), and both pupils were reactive to light. The brain CT scan revealed acute hydrocephalus and an AK-47 bullet in the ventricular system (Figure 3). An external ventricular drainage (EVD) was inserted, and meningitis was diagnosed for which broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered. After the CSF was cleared and the antibiotic course was finished, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was inserted and the patient received conservative therapy.

The CT Scan of the Patient with Hydrocephalus and a Retained Bullet in the Ventricular System
The CT Scan of the Patient with Hydrocephalus and a Retained Bullet in the Ventricular System
Figure 3.

The CT Scan of the Patient with Hydrocephalus and a Retained Bullet in the Ventricular System

The patient passed away on the 28th day of admission due to complications of meningitis, including pneumonia and CSF fistula. The 3-dimensional skull CT scan and postmortem study revealed the entrance of the bullet to the posterior ethmoidal air cells and the anterior perforating substance (Figure 4). The bullet had migrated through the lateral ventricles and finally to the pineal region and the third ventricle (Figure 5).

The 3D CT Scan of the Skull and Face Revealing the Site of Bullet Entrance to the Maxilla
The 3D CT Scan of the Skull and Face Revealing the Site of Bullet Entrance to the Maxilla
Figure 4.

The 3D CT Scan of the Skull and Face Revealing the Site of Bullet Entrance to the Maxilla

The Sagittal View of Brain CT Scan Showing Bullet Entrapment in the Posterior Region of the Third Ventricle with Compression on the Pineal Region and Aqueduct of Sylvius Causing Hydrocephalus
The Sagittal View of Brain CT Scan Showing Bullet Entrapment in the Posterior Region of the Third Ventricle with Compression on the Pineal Region and Aqueduct of Sylvius Causing Hydrocephalus
Figure 5.

The Sagittal View of Brain CT Scan Showing Bullet Entrapment in the Posterior Region of the Third Ventricle with Compression on the Pineal Region and Aqueduct of Sylvius Causing Hydrocephalus

3. Discussion

The civilian GSWs have been studied in different settings and countries with different incidence, outcome, and management outlines (12, 13). Although migration of an intracranial projectile is an uncommon condition, severity of complications associated with such events often contributes to poor prognostic implications (1, 14). Penetrating brain injury from a high-velocity projectile creates a complex pattern of permanent tissue damage. The bullet track left in the wake of the missile creates a potential nidus for foreign body migration, local brain necrosis, and external contamination of devitalized wound tissues (15).

Regarding penetrating GSWs, reports have described projectiles moving above, below, and through a defect in the tentorium cerebelli, passing through the tentorial incisure, and moving inside the spinal canal and thecal sac. Overall, intact bullets, copper jackets, lead cores, and pellets can migrate through the body. Rapp et al. (1) reviewed 213 neurosurgical patients with GSWs of the head and estimated that approximately 4.2% of the bullet fragments migrated; the earliest migration of a bullet fragment was discovered 36 hours post injury. Moreover, other authors have found that < 0.1% to 10% of bullets migrate inside the head (2, 3, 11).

In comparison with the study by Rapp et al. the bullet in this case migrated within approximately 10.5 hours after the shooting (1). There is a tendency for foreign bodies to migrate into or out of the ventricles, within the cisternae, in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere, or within the cerebellum (7, 8). Migration may occur under a variety of clinical conditions, the most significant of which is migration through the ventricular system, subarachnoid space, necrotic liquefied brain tissue, and along the trajectory.

In conclusion, delayed presentation of intracranial retained bullets is relatively uncommon in patients with penetrating brain injuries. Migration of retained bullets is a delayed presentation. Bullets in the ventricular system have a great possibility of migration, and ventriculitis and hydrocephalus may develop.

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