Intentional Penetrating Craniocerebral Injury Caused by a Nail: Clinical Presentation and Management of Three Cases

Abstract

The authors report on their experience in the medical and surgical management of three cases of penetrating craniocerebral injuries caused by a nail. In all three cases, it was an aggression. Two of the three patients were male. The cranial locations affected were respectively left parietal, right temporal and right frontal. The Glasgow coma score (GCS) was between 9 and 13. None of the patients had a motor deficit. A plain skull radiographs was performed for each patient. All patients underwent surgery and all received antibiotic therapy and tetanus vaccination. In two cases, post-operative outcome was simple. Recovery was complete without sequelae. The patient with a GCS of 9 died the day after surgery.