Korean J Neurotrauma.  2014 Oct;10(2):139-141. 10.13004/kjnt.2014.10.2.139.

Nail Gun Induced Open Head Injury: A Case Report

• Oh HH
• Kim Y
• Park SC
• Ha YS
• Lee KC

• KMID: 2256252
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13004/kjnt.2014.10.2.139

Abstract

Increasing use of the nail gun has led to higher injury rates from the use of tools with sequential actuation. Nail gun injury can occur to various parts of the body. Very deep penetration in the brain can have fatal results. A 46-year-old male fired shots from a nail gun into his brain in a suicide attempt. This case demonstrated successful surgical management of the resultant open head injury.

Keyword

Head injuries penetrating; Craniocerebral trauma; Brain stem

MeSH Terms

Brain
Brain Stem
Craniocerebral Trauma*
Fires
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Suicide

Figure

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  FIGURE 1 A: Initial brain computed tomography (CT) scan revealed comminuted fractures at the left temporal bone with inward displacement of bony fragments. B: Initial brain CT scan revealed foreign body at the suprasellar cistern to right medial temporal lobe. C: Initial brain CT scan revealed intraventricular hemorrhage at lateral and 3rd ventricle and subarachnoid hemorrhage at the basal cistern. Small amount of subcutaneous emphysema and diffuse scalp swelling were shown in the left temporal area.

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  FIGURE 2 The preoperative brain computed tomography angiography revealed no gross evidence of vascular injury.

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  FIGURE 3 A: Photograph of a 5.0 cm long nail. B: Perihematoma edema seen in postoperative brain computed tomography.

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  FIGURE 4 A: Preoperative brain computed tomography (CT) revealed Evan's ratio 0.32 with subcutaneous cerebrospinal fluid collection. B: Postoperative brain CT revealed Evan's ratio 0.30 with reduced subcutaneous cerebrospinal fluid collection.

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