Citation

Kaufman HH, Makela ME, Lee KF, Haid RW, Gildenberg PL. Neurosurgery 1986; 18(6): 689-695.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Congress of Neurological Surgeons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3736794

Abstract

Craniocerebral gunshot wounds are a significant cause of injury and death in the United States. However, despite reports of occasional unexpectedly favorable outcome in surgically treated patients, these injuries have been viewed pessimistically and indeed have generally been excluded from modern studies of head injuries, which have concentrated on closed head injuries. A review of 143 victims of craniocerebral gunshot wounds admitted to Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas, during a recent 30-month period confirmed that a few apparently neurologically devastated patients can be saved. A detailed analysis of these patients, including demographic details, general and neurological condition, anatomic injuries, laboratory findings, surgical care, neurological course, and neurological and functional outcome follows. The helpfulness of early resuscitation and appropriate criteria for surgery need to be studied using historic or randomized controls.

Language: en