Systemic lead toxicity secondary to retained intraosseous bullet: A case report and review of literature

A 35-year-old female presented to orthopaedic clinic with a chief complaint of chronic left hip pain, beginning 17 years prior when she had sustained a gunshot wound to her left buttock. Imaging demonstrated significant left hip arthritis with a retained projectile in the femoral head. Lead levels were also found to be significantly elevated. The patient underwent successful left total hip arthroplasty, with subsequent postoperative pain relief and consistent decrease in serum lead level. This report presents a rare case that emphasizes lead intoxication as a potentially dangerous complication of gunshot wounds and retained projectiles in the orthopaedic patient. Recognition of lead intoxication as a potential complication of retained gunshot projectiles allows for efficient diagnosis and treatment, which may prevent associated future morbidity.