Nausea, Vomiting, and Weight Loss in a Young Adult Patient With a History of a Gunshot Wound.
Journal: Pediatric Emergency Care
Published:
Abstract
Assessing victims of gunshot wounds with retained bullets/bullet fragments for lead toxicity is not always considered until the patient develops signs and symptoms of toxicity. We discuss the case of a 19-year-old young man who received a diagnosis of chronic lead toxicity (serum lead concentration 51 μg/dL) 5 weeks after a hunting accident. Extensive wound debridement occurred following the accident; however, lead toxicity was not diagnosed until after his fourth emergency department visit. Oral chelation therapy was required for the management of his lead toxicity.
Authors
Jessica James, James Fitzgibbon, Martha Blackford
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