Dealing with the Surgical and Medical Challenges of Penetrating Brain Injuries. (13th January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Syrmos, Nikolaos; Ganau, Mario; De Carlo, Antonella; Prisco, Lara; Ganau, Laura; Valadakis, Vasileios; Grigoriou, Kostantinos; Iliadis, Charalampos; Arvanitakis, Dimitrios
• Other Names: Sandblom G. Academic Editor.; Sorimachi T. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in surgery. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-01-13
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Surgical Procedures, Operative; General Surgery; Surgery; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Case studies; Periodicals; Case Reports; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 617
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/209750
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6900

Abstract

Abstract : Peacetime has reduced the overall incidence of penetrating brain injuries (PBI), and those related to missile penetration are not common anymore at least in western countries. Nevertheless, PBI still occur, and car crashes or work accidents are their main causes. The management of such cases is characterized by many challenges, not only from a surgical and medical point of view, but also for the different and sometimes bizarre dynamics by which they present. Herein we report an unusual deep penetrating brain injury, due to a high-energy crash against a metallic rod in a construction site, with a good surgical outcome despite dramatic clinical conditions on admission. A discussion of the surgical results and functional outcome related to PBI, as found in the English medical literature, is provided. Moreover the most common postoperative complications along with the diagnostic flow charts and therapeutic options useful to prevent inappropriate treatment are highlighted.