Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39960514›Full record

ArticlePediatric radiology2025

Use of photon-counting CT and three-dimensional printing for an intra-thoracic retained ballistic fragment in a 9-year-old.

Catherine B Beckhorn, Mary E Moya-Mendez, Michael Aiduk, Steven Thornton, Cathlyn K Medina, Anna D Louie, Douglas Overbey, Joseph Y Cao, Elisabeth T Tracy

Abstract readCase Reports
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In one paragraph

Article in Pediatric radiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Catherine B BeckhornDuke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA. catherine.beckhorn@duke.edu.
Mary E Moya-MendezDepartment of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA.
Michael AidukDuke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA.
Steven ThorntonDepartment of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA.
Cathlyn K MedinaDuke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA.
Anna D LouieDepartment of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA.
Douglas OverbeyDuke Children's Pediatric and Congenital Heart Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA.
Joseph Y CaoDepartment of Radiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA, Box 3808, 2301 Erwin Road, North Carolina, 27710. joseph.cao@duke.edu.
Elisabeth T TracyDivision of Pediatric Surgery, UNC Children's Hospital, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA. lisa_tracy@med.unc.edu.

Funding

Medical Scientist Training Program Training GrantT32GM145449 · NIGMS · DUKE UNIVERSITY · PI Christopher D Kontos · 2022 to 2026
$6.6M
NIGMS NIH HHS T32 GM145449
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Retained ballistic fragments from gunshot wounds pose diagnostic and management challenges for radiologists and surgeons alike. Imaging and clinical decision-making regarding removal warrant comprehensive risk/benefit discussions, considering anatomic location, complexity of surgical removal, and risk of long-term complications of bullet migration and potential lead toxicity. Herein, we describe a 9-year-old with a retained intra-thoracic para-aortic ballistic fragment causing elevated lead levels. Photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) was used to create a 3D-printed anatomic model, critical for multidisciplinary pre-operative planning and as an educational tool with the patient and family, ultimately leading to successful surgical bullet removal. Since spectral CT imaging offers superior metal artifact reduction capabilities than conventional CT, cutting-edge technologies such as PCD-CT and 3D-printing should be considered in anatomically challenging cases.

Indexed as

Foreign BodiesPrinting, Three-DimensionalTomography, X-Ray ComputedWounds, GunshotChildHumansMaleModels, AnatomicPhotons3D-printingLead toxicityPediatric gunshot woundsPediatric radiologyPhoton-counting CTRetained bullets

Identifiers

PMID39960514

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.