Gunshot Injuries in the Emergency Department

Zones of injury of Gunshot wounding:

1. Primary wound tract – Permanent cavity; dead, crushed tissue
2. Contusion zone – Tissue adjacent to primary wound tract; in inflammatory state with cellular debris
3. Concussion zone – Temporary cavity; Tissue damage occurs by stretching, shearing, and compression. Inelastic tissues (liver, bone, brain) are most susceptible due to little intrinsic ability to dissipate transferred energy even if remote to the path of injury