Symptomatic Lead Toxicity Secondary to Retained Shotgun Pellets: Case Report

Abstract

Symptomatic lead toxicity has only rarely been associated with retention of foreign bodies. Recently a patient was seen who had sustained a shotgun wound to the left upper extremity 10 years previously without apparent nerve injury at the time of injury. The patient was asymptomatic for 9 years. During the tenth year, classic symptoms of lead toxicity, as well as increased blood levels, were documented. Removal of the majority of the lead pellets resulted in substantial decrease in the serum lead level and improvement of symptoms.