Internal carotid artery embolism by shotgun pellet.

Various examples of foreign body embolization of cerebral arteries, usually followed by serious consequences, have been reported (Lindberg et al., 1961; Chason et al., 1963; Steele et al., 1972; Wetli et al., 1972). However, a shotgun pellet entering the left atrium of the heart through a gunshot wound of the chest with subsequent embolic occlusion of one of the carotid arteries appears to be unique. It is the subject of this short communication.