Incidental Finding of a Retained Foreign Body Following Unintentional Gunshot Injury

Firearm injuries are increasing worldwide and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. While most cases present with obvious trauma in emergency departments, there are rare instances of gunshot injuries that manifest with atypical signs and symptoms, offering minimal indication of a firearm wound. We report a similar case of a child who presented with a minor wound on the forearm without any history of trauma or other identifiable cause, which was later revealed on X-ray to be a gunshot wound with a retained bullet in the right forearm. The patient was asymptomatic. The bullet was surgically removed under general anesthesia without complications. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged the next day, with a follow-up scheduled in two weeks for suture removal. This report aims to highlight the importance of imaging in seemingly trivial injuries of unknown cause and the need for judicious decision-making when considering interventional management options.