Souvenir Bullet: A Case Report of a Rare Case with Bullet Lodged in Prostate

Abstract

The risk of a retained bullet may involve a fatal consequence or potential immediate or early complication which may require surgical intervention. The bullet that remains entrenched inside a body for a long time without causing life-threatening complications like infections or toxicity is loosely called a Souvenir Bullet. To the best of our knowledge, there is a paucity of reports handling retained foreign bodies in various well-protected cavities like the skull and pelvis. Herein, we describe a rare case of retained foreign body (bullet) in the prostate. Medico-legal consultation was sought in a case of alleged firearm injury over the left thigh. Who was brought to the emergency of Rajindra hospital, Patiala. A hard nodule was felt at the lateral to lower prostatic margin at the 4 o'clock position on clinical examination. Multiple opinions were sought from specialist doctors from different hospitals regarding the removal of the bullet. All of them agreed that the bullet should not be removed for now. The majority of civilian gunshot wounds are of low energy, however, and the management of retained bullets in these injuries depends primarily on the location of the missile. Few cases have been reported showing a bullet impacted the prostate. There is a need for a global consensus about the management of retained foreign bodies, especially prostate.