A CT scan shows a bullet embedded in the lower back part of a 40-year-old woman's head in Can Tho City, southern Vietnam. Photo: Can Tho Central General Hospital
The patient, identified as D.T.K.T., was admitted with a one-centimeter wound to the occipital area of her head and symptoms of a headache.
Her family said the incident occurred on Monday afternoon while she was gardening at home.
A small, round, metal object believed to be a stray bullet suddenly struck her head, causing significant bleeding.
Upon examination, neurosurgeons decided to operate immediately.
During the surgery, they removed a small metallic projectile resembling a bullet, measuring 0.5 x 0.3 cm.
The bullet extracted from the patient’s head. Photo: Can Tho Central General Hospital
Fortunately, the bullet only pierced the skin and lightly grazed the occipital bone, causing no damage to the brain or nearby structures.
Her family suspected the projectile may have come from a home-made or bird-hunting firearm, adding that the patient has no known conflicts or disputes with neighbors or relatives.
Chuong Chan Phuoc, head of the hospital’s neurosurgery department, said gunshot wounds are typically serious, with injury severity depending on factors like the type of weapon, bullet velocity, and impact site.
In this rare case, the bullet had likely lost most of its kinetic energy by the time it struck the woman, reducing its penetration force.
The patient is now fully conscious, stable, and showing no neurological symptoms.
