Pellet Guns Research Articles

Pellet gun trauma: An unusual and unexpected type of bone lesion

Non-powder guns in general, and especially pellet guns are acknowledged to cause important injuries, also on bone tissue. However, pellet gun-related injuries have been poorly analyzed in forensic literature and scientists may have no idea of what signs a pellet gun can leave on bone. Moreover, since such lesions are not commonly encountered in everyday forensic practice, they could be misdiagnosed. For this reason, the present study was performed to investigate and illustrate the qualitative effects of pellet guns on human bone. An experiment was performed by shooting single pellets on four adult human feet belonging to the anatomical collection of the University of Milan and CAL (Collezione Antropologica Labanof), that is the anthropological collection of the forensic anthropology lab (Labanof). An Umarex – “Beretta type 92 S″ CO2 gun was used, loaded with pellets of 4.5 mm caliber of different designs: wadcutter, round-nosed, and sharp-pointed. The shots were fired from a constant distance of 20–30 cm and with different directions and angles. X-ray analysis was carried out and three feet were later skeletonized and observed with an episcopic microscope. Macroscopically, a high penetrative capacity of all the used pellets was observed: with the only exception of the wadcutter ones, all the other types were associated with bone lesions, such as abrasions of the cortical bone, chipping and/or fractures, which in some cases were even comminuted. Microscopically, metallic traces, bone spicules, and striae-like irregularities on the bottom of all the bone abrasions were found. Finally, we provide forensic pathologists and anthropologists with some considerations and illustrations that may help in the correct diagnosis in case of need.

Pediatric Air Gunshot Penetrating Head Injury with Good Outcome: A Case Report

Abstract: Ball bearing (BB) and pellet guns are non-power guns but their related injuries have been reported worldwide. They represent a significant cause of injury especially among children and teenagers. Their potentially harmful and lethal effects have been well documented in the medical literature since the early 1980s. Fatality rate is closely related to the damaged part of the brain and the level of the damage. In this Case Report we documented a 6-years-old girl was getting shot at the head by herself, who initially want to play around, using her neighbour’s Air gun rifle. The pellet trajectory passed through the left frontal lobe, left temporal lobe, left posterior putamen, posteriorly left crus posterior of internal capsule, left occipital horn of lateral ventricle, left occipital lobe, and ended at left cerebral falx between both medial surfaces of occipital lobes. Directional slope of the pellet was medially upward, with its tracking left Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) with perifocal edema and Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH) dominant in the left lateral ventricle. After 8 days management, the patient was discharged from our hospital with stable condition, GCS 15 without any significant neurological deficits. Intracranial intracerebral pellet due to air gun shot injury, may have fatal and lethal manifestation if the pellet damage the eloquent area and/or deep area of the brain (hypothalamus, thalamus and brain stem). If accessible the foreign body or pellet should be removed immediately for better outcome. Keywords: Head Injury, Air Gun Shot, Intracerebral Haemorrhage

The Curvilinear Association Between Posttraumatic Distress and Posttraumatic Growth Among Pellet Gun Victims: The Moderating Roles of Time Since Trauma and Age.

Since 2010, the use of pellet guns in Indian-administered Kashmir has led to serious physical and psychological consequences among a growing number of victims. However, no research to date has examined the association between posttraumatic distress and posttraumatic growth (PTG) within this population. Previous research conducted on other types of trauma exposure has yielded inconsistent findings regarding the nature and directionality of this association; namely, whether it is linear or curvilinear. Moreover, this inconsistency may also be due to the effects of other variables, such as time since trauma and age. In the present study, we investigated whether the association between posttraumatic distress and PTG among pellet gun victims is best explained as linear or curvilinear and tested whether this association was moderated by time since trauma and/or age. Using purposive sampling, 120 pellet gun victims were recruited from Indian-administered Kashmir. The results of quadratic hierarchical regression suggested that an inverted U-shaped curvilinear association, sr2 = 0.07 (medium effect), was a better fit over and above a linear term, sr2 = 0.06 - 0.08 (medium effect). The moderation test further revealed that this effect was present across time but became apparent, as an inverted U-shape, 18 to 24 months posttrauma, sr2 = 0.04 (small effect); age, however, was not found to influence this association. These findings held even after controlling for the effects of confounding variables. The present findings suggest that across time, moderate levels of posttraumatic distress are associated with the highest levels of PTG.

Barely benign: The dangers of BB and other nonpowder guns

ObjectiveTo characterize the risks of nonpowder guns commonly used by children for recreation. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of children ≤18 years of age treated for nonpowder gun injuries at a pediatric level I trauma center during 2013–2017. Demographics, injury characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were reviewed and analyzed using descriptive statistics. ResultsForty-six cases were identified; of these, 78% were male and the median age was 10 years (IQR 7–13). All guns were either ball-bearing or pellet guns. Eighty-five percent (38/46) of injuries were penetrating. The most common location was the head and neck (28%), followed by the anterior torso (26%) and eye (24%). Significant injuries that penetrated organs or body cavities occurred in 39% (18/46) and included subarachnoid hemorrhage; lung, liver, and kidney lacerations; pulmonary artery injury; and tracheal injury. Nine percent (4/26) were admitted to the intensive care unit, 37% (17/46) underwent surgery, and there were no deaths. DiscussionInjuries from recreational nonpowder guns such as ball-bearing or pellet guns can cause severe injuries in children. A thorough penetrating trauma workup should always be undertaken. Safety precautions should be taken when using these guns and access to young children should be restricted. Level of evidencePrognosis level IV

How lethal is a pellet gun for eyes?

Background: Etiologically ocular injuries can be classified into domestic, occupational, sports, road traffic accidents, iatrogenic, fights and assaults, and war injuries. In the 1960s and 1970s, road traffic accidents became the most common cause of serious ocular injuries. In the 1980s, sports and leisure activities became a common cause of severe eye injury. The home is now the most common location for eye injuries. However, bomb blast and battlefield ocular injuries are becoming increasingly common in different parts of the world. Recently introduced non-lethal pellet guns used by law enforcement Indian agencies in Kashmir were the most common cause of ocular injuries in the valley. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate ocular pellet gun injuries in patients of a conflict zone by a so called non-lethal weapon as a mass control measure. Method: The study was conducted in post graduate department of Radiodiagnosis and imaging, Government Medical College, Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir. Our study was conducted between January 2019 to 15th May 2019. A total of 30 patients with ocular pellet injuries were taken up for study. Results: The most common type of injuries encountered were corneal laceration in 66.7 % eyes, vitreous haemorrhage in 52.8% and scleral laceration in 33.3% of eyes. Indirect signs like decreased volume of anterior chamber were suggestive of corneal laceration. Retained intraocular foreign body (IOFB) was seen in 7 patients and intraorbital foreign body excluding intraocular foreign body in 3 patients. Conclusion: In conclusion a so called non-lethal pellet gun used by law enforcement agencies has the potential to cause devastating ocular injuries.

Nonpowder Firearm Injuries to Children Treated in Emergency Departments.

To investigate nonpowder firearm injuries treated in US emergency departments among children <18 years old. National Electronic Injury Surveillance System data from 1990 through 2016 were analyzed. An estimated 364 133 (95% confidence interval 314 540-413 727) children <18 years old were treated in US emergency departments for injuries related to nonpowder firearms from 1990 to 2016, averaging 13 486 children annually. From 1990 to 2016, the number and rate of nonpowder firearm injuries decreased by 47.8% (P < .001) and 54.5% (P < .001), respectively. Most injuries occurred among 6- to 12-year-olds (47.4%) and 13- to 17-year-olds (47.0%). Boys accounted for 87.1% of injured children, the most common diagnosis was foreign body (46.3%), and 7.1% of children were admitted. BB guns accounted for 80.8% of injuries, followed by pellet guns (15.5%), paintball guns (3.0%), and airsoft guns (0.6%). The rate of eye injuries increased by 30.3% during the study period. Eye injuries accounted for 14.8% of all injuries and the most common diagnoses were corneal abrasion (35.1%), hyphema (12.5%), globe rupture (10.4%), and foreign body (8.6%). Although the number and rate of nonpowder firearm injuries declined during the study period, nonpowder firearms remain a frequent and important source of preventable and often serious injury to children. The severity and increasing rate of eye injuries related to nonpowder firearms is especially concerning. Increased prevention efforts are needed in the form of stricter and more consistent safety legislation at the state level, as well as child and parental education regarding proper supervision, firearm handling, and use of protective eyewear.

Pediatric Injuries from BB Guns, Pellet Guns, and Other Nonpowder Firearms

To better understand pediatric injuries from nonpowder firearms (BB, pellet, paintball, and airsoft guns), researchers analyzed data from the National

Camera as weapon: ways of seeing in Kashmir

ABSTRACTThis article considers amateur images that came out of Indian occupied Kashmir during the summer of 2016. These pictures, circulated on Facebook and Twitter, documented the human cost of India’s use of pellet guns for anti-protest crowd dispersal, a decision that led to the gruesome blindings and wounding of Kashmiris. Pictures of pellet gun victims sparked outrage online as they spread across a social media already saturated with several competing visions of Kashmir’s past, present, and future. Countless images of maimed Kashmiris entered a visual field structured by the Indian state’s pervasive surveillance of Kashmiri aspirations for azaadi. Writing in the wake of Third Cinema’s vision of the camera as a weapon, this piece considers the relationship between the insurgent’s right to look and right to maim summoned by the liberal state. Reflecting on the significance of particular networks of circulation, registers of representation, and forms of enunciation, I offer a rethinking of documentation, documentary images, and ways of seeing in Kashmir.

BB Gun–Related Open Globe Injuries

To describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients treated for BB and pellet gun-related open globe injuries. Retrospective case series. Patients presenting to a tertiary care trauma center with open globes secondary to BB or pellet gun injury from January 2002 to November2017. A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients presenting with open globe injuries from January 2002 to November 2017. Charts were reviewed to isolate the mechanism of injury related to BB or pellet guns. Demographic data, injury type, presenting clinical examination findings, visual acuity (VA), secondary ocular complications, necessary surgical procedures and long-term outcome data were recorded. Additionally, the ocular trauma score (OTS) was calculated for all patients who had documented VA on presentation. Final VA. During the study period, 681 open globe injuries were identified, 16 of which met inclusion criteria. Fourteen cases were due to injury from a BB gun and 2 were due to a pellet gun. Fourteen of the 16 patients (88%) were males. The average age of patients at time of presentation was 14±6.4 years (range, 4-28 years). Common presenting complications included hyphema, traumatic cataract, and retinal detachment. Twelve of the 16 patients required at least one additional surgery after open globe repair. Fifteen (94%) patients had hand motion-only or worse vision at time of final presentation. Eight patients had no light perception vision in the injured eye at final follow-up. Open globe injuries related to BB or pellet guns result in devastating visual outcomes. They are often associated with multiple complications and the need for additional surgeries. Modern surgical techniques can increase the rate of globe salvage although final vision remains poor. The study findings highlight the risks associated with widely available BB and pellet guns and underscore the importance of eye protection in this setting.

Traumatismo espinhal por projéteis de armas de ar comprimido em cinco gatos

Spinal cord trauma induced by ballistic projectiles is considered uncommon in domestic animals, particularly in cats. Outdoor, and indoor-outdoor cats are at greater risk of receiving gunshot wounds. Despite their small size, moderate speed and poor aerodynamic design, projectiles from compressed air guns (pellet guns) can cause severe injury. Treatment and prognosis of animals presented with gun-related injuries can vary considerably, depending on the affected spinal segment location of the lesions, and extent of tissue damage. Due to the unusual occurrence, of this type of trauma in feline patients, the goal of this report is to describe the neurologic, radiographic, and surgical findings in five cats with spinal injury secondary to air gun projectiles.

Indian Strategic Economic Tactics and Emergent Challenges for the Developing Countries of the Region

In this paper, we examine the neighborhood especially Indian strategies for the region. The political philosophies and regional strategies related to developing economies in the region need synergy and strategically positive and constructive in nature. Their philosophy to rule and their foreign policy is different from all the other leadership. Indian Current Ruling Party seems involved in different terrorist activities, such Gujarat attack on Muslims and the incident of the Samjhota express. Indian Current Ruling Partys begins wrongdoing on the innocent Kashmiri, its forces also use pellet guns on Kashmiri Muslims. Indian economic strategy is to invest on Chahbahar Port and wish to side stop the economic mega project of CPEC. Indian influence increased in Afghanistan against Pakistan with the boycott of SAARC conference scheduled in Pakistan. The international community has found that Indian current political leadership is as one of the most influential negative political personality among the world leaders.

Musculoskeletal pellet gun injuries; report from a conflict zone

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;Pellet gun used by law enforcement agencies have the potential to cause grevious or life threatening injuries as metallic projectiles fired at high speeds from pellet gun have potential to damage strongest structure like bone.&lt;/span&gt;The objective of the study was t&lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;o evaluate musculoskeletal pellet gun injuries in patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;This study was conducted over two years involving 88 patients&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;A significant number of patients had grevious musculoskeletal pellet gun injuries. 50 patients had superficial injuries, 11 patients had fractures, 5 had nerve injuries, 7 had tendon injuries and 15 had intra-articular pellets. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;Pellet guns can cause grevious musculoskeletal injuries which can leave the victim with lifelong disability.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Should a medical ethics journal discuss the actions of the security forces?

This refers to the comment "Use of pellet guns for crowd control in Kashmir: How lethal is 'non-lethal'?" by Siddarth David in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics. My objection is not to the ethics of the use of pellet guns, but to the ethics of publishing such an article in a journal devoted to medical ethics.

Pediatric unintentional firearm injuries in rural trauma

PURPOSE of Study Gunshot wounds are the second most common cause of traumatic pediatric deaths in the US, with greater risk than other developed countries. We sought to determine the clinical trends and geographical and age foci associated with unintentional pediatric (UGSWs). Methods Used We identified pediatric patients (≤18 years old) admitted for UGSWs (2000-2015). Patients were stratified by age: Summary of Results 194 children (79.4% male, 72.0% African American) sustained UGSWs, mean age of 10.7 ±4.6 years. Most common firearms were handguns, pellet guns, and hunting rifle (54.2%, 24.7% and 5.3%, respectively). UGSWs had a mortality rate of 4.1%, similar to the US rate of 5.0%. Mean hospital stay was 4.7 days, with median Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 5 (Range 1-13) and most common injury site being the extremity. Young teenagers (10-14 years) had rates of UGSW twice that of other age groups. Younger age groups had higher mean ISS (15.8 vs. 10.8 vs. 9.0 vs. 5.7, p=0.011), with no difference in mortality rates (p=0.898) or length of hospitalization (p=0.449). The youngest patients suffered more injuries to head/neck and abdominal cavity, while young teenagers were more commonly shot in the extremities and older teenagers had more thoracic trauma. Geographiccally, UGSW rates increased in peri-urban areas (Fig). Conclusions Children 10-14 years old in peri-urban are most likely to experience UGSWs with handguns. Using the resulting heat maps we established the most effective areas and populations for preventative intervention. Abstract from: Southern Regional Meeting 2017, New Orleans, LA, February 11-13, 2017 Language: en

Use of pellet guns for crowd control in Kashmir: How lethal is "non-lethal"?

The use of pellet guns during the recent unrest in Kashmir as a method of crowd control has been questioned because of several deaths and numerous injuries. Across the world, these rubber pellets have been shown to inflict serious injuries, permanent disability, and death. The volatility of mob violence, inaccuracies in aim of the pellets, over-use of the pellet guns, and the perception of their harmlessness enhances the destructive potential of these so-called non-lethal weapons. There is also the larger ethical question whether any form of pain, however minimal, could be inflicted to control violent crowds.

Paediatric eye injuries in Finland - Helsinki eye trauma study.

To determine the current population-based epidemiology, treatment, use of resources and outcomes of children's eye injuries in Finland. The study included all new patients, 16years of age or under, with ocular or orbital traumas taken into care to the Helsinki University Eye Hospital (population base 1.5million people) in 1year. The follow-up period was 3months. Two hundred and two children's eye injuries were treated. The eye injury incidence was 5.2-8.3 per 10000 per year, including all minor and major eye traumas. Eye injury most likely occurred at the junior high school age (13-16years). Thirty-three percentage of accidents took place at home and 24% at school or in day care. The most common causes were sports equipment (15%), contact with human body (12%) and superficial foreign bodies (11%). Excluding minor injuries, contusion was the most common diagnosis (n=60, 30%). Eighty-seven percentage of contusion patients were estimated to need lifelong follow-up due to elevated glaucoma risk. Nine percentage of all patients had a permanent disability. Guns, fireworks, tools and pellet guns were relatively the most dangerous objects. Pellet guns caused 6% of eye injuries, 36% of them causing permanent impairment. The number of outpatient visits was altogether 443, inpatient days were 49, and 60 children had major surgeries. Use of protective eyewear would have prevented or diminished eye traumas caused by pellet gun, floorball, most of the firework and in many superficial foreign body. The use of pellet guns and protective eyewear should be more supervised. Fireworks and tools are not suitable toys for children.

Ocular traumas in working age adults in Finland - Helsinki Ocular Trauma Study.

To describe epidemiology, causes, treatments and outcomes of ocular injuries in adults aged 17 to 60 in southern Finland. All new ocular trauma patients admitted to the Helsinki University Eye Hospital (HUEH), during 1year in 2011-2012. The data were from hospital records and prospectively from patient questionnaires. The follow-up time was 3months. The incidence for ocular injury was 88/100000/year. From 831 trauma patients, 80% were men, 34% were work-related injuries, and 11% were assaults. Most of the injuries were minor traumas (54%). Contusions (22.5%) and chemical injuries and burns (13%) were common. Fractures (5%), lid wounds (3%), open globe injuries (OGI, 2%) and optic nerve injuries (0.5%) were rare. The main causes of ocular injury were superficial foreign bodies (33%), chemicals (13%), body parts (13%) and sports equipment (10%). The most dangerous objects were needles, stones, pellet guns, tools and guns. No patient with OGI used protective eyewear. All OGI and most of contusions needed a lifelong follow-up. Permanent impairment (73 patients, 9%) was caused most often by body parts, sports equipment and work tools. A typical ocular trauma patient was a man aged 31-45 with a minor trauma caused by a foreign body at work and a final visual acuity of 20/20. Most common serious injuries were contusion, OGI or fracture at home or at work and were caused by a body part, sport equipment or work tool. Factors causing common and serious eye injuries provide the targets for protective measures.

Penetrating head injuries in children due to BB and pellet guns: a poorly recognized public health risk.

OBJECT Nonpowder guns, defined as spring- or gas-powered BB or pellet guns, can be dangerous weapons that are often marketed to children. In recent decades, advances in compressed-gas technology have led to a significant increase in the power and muzzle velocity of these weapons. The risk of intracranial injury in children due to nonpowder weapons is poorly documented. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted at 3 institutions studying children 16 years or younger who had intracranial injuries secondary to nonpowder guns. RESULTS The authors reviewed 14 cases of intracranial injury in children from 3 institutions. Eleven (79%) of the 14 children were injured by BB guns, while 3 (21%) were injured by pellet guns. In 10 (71%) children, the injury was accidental. There was 1 recognized assault, but there were no suicide attempts; in the remaining 3 patients, the intention was indeterminate. There were no mortalities among the patients in this series. Ten (71%) of the children required operative intervention, and 6 (43%) were left with permanent neurological injuries, including epilepsy, cognitive deficits, hydrocephalus, diplopia, visual field cut, and blindness. CONCLUSIONS Nonpowder guns are weapons with the ability to penetrate a child's skull and brain. Awareness should be raised among parents, children, and policy makers as to the risk posed by these weapons.

Projectile embolization to the left femoral artery with stroke following gunshot wound to the chest.

Missile embolization is a rare phenomenon with most cases reported in the literature as a consequence of direct or indirect vascular trauma. Despite their characterization as toys, traumatic injuries from pellet guns are associated with significant rates of morbidity related to their vascular and neurological complications. We present a 9-year-old boy who was shot in the chest with a pellet gun and suffered a femoral arterial occlusion and a delayed stroke in the middle cerebral arterial distribution.

Nonpowder firearms cause significant pediatric injuries.

We hypothesize that nonpowder firearms cause significant injuries in children, often requiring intervention. We have noted a difference in demographics of children presenting with injuries from nonpowder firearms compared with patients injured by powder firearms. We reviewed our institution's experience with patients with nonpowder firearm injuries to evaluate these aspects. A retrospective chart review was completed for all patients with a firearm injury from 2003 through February 2013 to a pediatric urban Level I trauma center. Patients were excluded if they were 18 years of age or older or readmitted. Demographics, injury circumstances, interventions, and outcomes were reviewed for 303 patients. The χ test and analysis of variance were completed with a statistical significance of p < 0.05. There were 57 nonpowder firearm injuries and 246 injuries from other firearms. Injuries occurred from BB, pellet, and paintball guns. Treatment included computed tomography scan in 39 patients, three bedside procedures, one angiography, and operative intervention in 25 patients. The most common injury locations were the eye (n = 37), head (n = 7), and neck (n = 6). Children injured by nonpowder firearms were less likely to be female (p = 0.04), more likely to be white (p < 0.01), and less likely to be injured in a violence-related event (p < 0.01). Nonpowder firearms can cause severe pediatric injuries requiring operative intervention and significant radiographic exposure from computed tomography scans. Prevention and education are important in decreasing this risk in the pediatric population and should be targeted to a different population than powder firearm prevention. Epidemiologic study, level V.