Abstract Temporal bone injuries due to gunshot wounds are rare but can be catastrophic, posing a significant risk of damage to vital neurovascular structures. This is a case of a 40-year-old male presented with firearm injury on the postauricular region. He was having a lacerated wound over the postauricular region, which was bleeding profusely and also had multiple bouts of vomitus. After the management of the postauricular bleed, the patient was investigated thoroughly. He did not have facial nerve paralysis. Computed tomography revealed the metallic foreign body in the mastoid cavity of the temporal bone. After obtaining written consent, he was planned for surgical removal by postauricular approach. His postoperative period was uneventful and was discharged successfully. Given the uncommon nature of gunshot injuries to the temporal bone, there is a paucity of literature describing patient evaluation and outcomes. This report describes an unusual case of a firearm injury to the temporal bone, offering insights into the challenges and considerations inherent in the management of such a unique presentation.
Deora et al. (Wed,) studied this question.