Penetrating Lung Injury Caused by a Close-range Blank Cartridge: Case Report

Abstract

A 17-year-old male was brought to the emergency department with chest injury by a gunshot from a blank cartridge (BC). No bullet or fragment was seen in the radiological examination. The patient underwent left thoracotomy for hemopneumothorax. Chest injuries due to BCs have rarely been reported in the literature. The word “blank” gives people a false sense of safety. Although BC ammunition does not contain any bullets or parts coming out of the barrel, it can lead to serious injury or even death, especially at contact or close-range.

Keywords

• Blank cartridge
• barrel
• gas pressure
• gas jet