Systemic plumbism following remote ballistic injury

We report an unusual case of systemic lead poisoning, i.e., plumbism, following a remote gunshot injury to the right femur. Plumbism is a rare side-effect of penetrating projectiles and has been shown to be directly related to the degree of ballistic fragmentation, as well as to the impact location, with intra-synovial, intra-osseous, head, spine and maxillofacial injuries having the highest correlation. Our patient, a 44-year-old male, presented to the ER with a 3-week history of mid epigastric cramping abdominal pain and intermittent vomiting as well as mild mental status changes. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasound were noncontributory. Laboratory findings were notable for underlying microcytic anemia with basophilic stippling observed on peripheral blood smear. Serum iron studies were normal. Lead levels were found to be elevated at 306 μg/dl. Prior EGD had demonstrated mild erosive gastritis with subsequent multiple negative gastric lavages. The patient’s past medical history was notable for a previous gunshot injury to the right femur with open fracture 2 years previously. Radiographs of the proximal right lower extremity, subsequent ultrasound and CT demonstrated an uncomplicated healed fracture of the mid right femoral diaphysis with an adjacent partially cystic lesion, an approximately 7-cm collection in the medial soft tissues containing internal ballistic fragments. Mottled surrounding capsular density was observed with mural calcific and micrometallic fragments. Systemic plumbism was suspected in relation to the remote ballistic injury and chelation therapy was initiated. Following surgical removal of the encapsulated fluid collection, systemic lead levels were observed to decline precipitously. The abdominal and CNS symptoms resolved in due course and the patient was discharged on oral chelation therapy.