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| Gunshot Wound |
| Etiology |
• Bullets from a variety of guns. |
| Pathogenesis |
• Transmission of kinetic energy to tissue; force equals 1/2 the product of mass and velocity squared. • Injury depends on how much force is applied over how much area to what kind of tissue. • Energy from the bullet will be spread along its path, not just at the entry point |
| Epidemiology |
• Epidemic problem in the U.S. with >30,000 deaths/annum • Particular problem in children (accidental deaths) and young adults (homicide) |
| Clinical |
• Course dependent on size of vessel
lacerated, other injuries, and the speed at which help is obtained. • Lung heals well if kept expanded. |
| General Gross Description |
• Entrance wound characteristically small and round if no deflection by
rib. • Disruption of the tissue with hemorrhage. • Exit wounds much larger with more ragged edges. |
| General Micro Description |
• Disruption of
parenchyma • Intralveolar hemorrhage |
| Reference |
• Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL. Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th edition. W.B. Saunders; Philadelphia. 1994. p. 399.
• Pathology, 2nd edition: Rubin E, Farber JL (eds). Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott, 1994, pp. 318-319.
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