La Radiologia medica
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La Radiologia medica · Dec 1999
[The topicality and use of the radiological exam in gunshot wounds of the limbs. An assessment of 132 cases].
Gunshot wounds of limbs are frequent injuries especially in Western countries. They can be single or associated with other penetrating gunshot wounds, for instance to the chest, abdomen and skull. ⋯ Gunshot wounds to the limbs need a different clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic approach than thoracoabdominal and skull injuries, which require immediate and quick diagnosis and emergency treatment. The cases with injury to a primary artery from open and splintered fractures require emergency surgical reconstruction with vascular anastomosis and reduction of compound fractures, to prevent necrosis and amputation. Conventional radiography does depict the bullet and its site, subcutaneous emphysema, blow-out fractures, and the location of bone splinters. This permits adequate emergency surgery and an efficacious orthopedic approach, as well as selection of the cases to be submitted to clinical monitoring.