Citation

Kim SW, Putzke M, Uhl E, Krishnan KG. Prim. Care Companion CNS Disord. 2016; 18(3): e01927.

Affiliation

Department of Neurosurgery, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Physicians Postgraduate Press)

DOI

10.4088/PCC.15br01927

PMID

27722022

Abstract

Depression is predicted to be the most common cause of disability in the coming decade. Self-inflicted hammer blow to the cranium is a rare phenomenon seen in patients with a history of attempted suicide. The resulting comminuted depressed skull fracture of the midline vertex is life threatening. Rapid interdisciplinary communication and intervention are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. We present a case of self-inflicted hammer blows to the head, review the relevant literature on this topic, and discuss neurosurgical and psychiatric implications.

Language: en