Citation

Mohan AL, Slim M, Benzil DL. Childs Nerv. Syst. 2005; 21(3): 255-258.

Affiliation

Department of Neurosurgery, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00381-004-0955-x

PMID

15071753

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Knife wounds to the posterior fossa are a rare occurrence, especially in children. We report an 8-year-old girl who sustained a penetrating knife injury through the occipital bone into the posterior fossa. On presentation, the large knife blade was firmly embedded in her head. METHODS: Radiographic evaluation was limited to plain X-rays because of the large size and sharpness of the embedded blade. Innovative positioning was used during intubation and then the patient was positioned semi-prone on the operating room table. The blade was surgically removed and the dura was closed. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical penetrating cranial injuries in children may require the treatment team to take a creative approach to the evaluation and repair of the lesion in order to maximize patient safety and minimize the risk of neurological injury.

Language: en