DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2014.v02i06.003

Pages: 362-364

A 20 years old male presented to casualty with alleged history of penetrating injury to left lower chest with a metal rod. Vitals were stable on presentation. Radiological investigations were normal on presentation. During observation patient developed signs of peritonitis and respiratory distress after 36 hours. Patient underwent laparotomy and was found to have gastric fundal perforation. Penetrating lower thoracic injuries are associated with high risk of injury to diaphragm and upper enteric organs. Such injuries may have minimal clinical or radiologic signs early in the course of presentation leading to delayed presentation. So a high degree of suspicion is required to diagnose these conditions early to decrease morbidity and mortality.