Delayed Cauda Equina syndrome due to a migratory bullet

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2014 Nov:24 Suppl 3:S219-20.

Abstract

A 35 years old man presented with Cauda Equina syndrome caused by a bullet migrating down the spinal canal. The patient initially showed no neurological deficits after the gunshot injury but after 15 months he presented again with urinary and fecal incontinence. Lumbo-sacral X-ray showed a bullet at the level of L5-S1 so he was operated under fluoroscopic guidance. Patient's neurological deficits improved after the operation. In authors' opinion it is vital to do follow-up after a gunshot injury to detect migrating bullet. Decompression of Cauda Equina should be done as soon as the neurological deficits occur.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Decompression, Surgical
  • Dura Mater / diagnostic imaging
  • Fecal Incontinence / etiology
  • Foreign-Body Migration / complications*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign-Body Migration / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polyradiculopathy / diagnostic imaging
  • Polyradiculopathy / etiology*
  • Polyradiculopathy / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinary Incontinence / etiology
  • Wounds, Gunshot / complications*
  • Wounds, Gunshot / diagnostic imaging
  • Wounds, Gunshot / surgery