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Gunshot Wound
Etiology

Bullets from a variety of guns.
Pathogenesis

Transmission of kinetic energy to tissue; force equals 1/2 the product of mass and velocity squared.
Injury depends on how much force is applied over how much area to what kind of tissue.
Energy from the bullet will be spread along its path, not just at the entry point,
Epidemiology

Epidemic problem in the U.S. with >30,000 deaths/annum
Particular problem in children (accidental deaths) and young adults (homicide)
General Gross Description

Entrance wound characteristically small and round if no deflection by rib.
Disruption of the tissue with hemorrhage.
Exit wounds much larger with more ragged edges.
•Examples:
Gun Shot Wound to Lung Gun Shot Wound to the Lungs Gun Shot Wound
General Microscopic Description

Disruption of parenchyma
Intralveolar hemorrhage
•Examples:
References

Cotran RS, Kumar V, Robbins SL. Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. 5th edition. W.B. Saunders; Philadelphia. 1994. p. 399.
Pathology, 2nd edition: Rubin E, Farber JL (eds). Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott, 1994, pp. 318-319.

For Most Current Information Search Medline at National Library of Medicine
This link will directly take you to the relevant new literature
Gunshot Wound
Synopsis by: Melinda Sanders M.D. (T28000E94710)[138]
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