Unrecognized retention of intraorbital graphite pencil fragments: the role of computerized tomography

Epilepsy caused by an unrecognized pencil lead misdiagnosed as intracerebral cavernous malformation

Transorbital penetrating injury is relatively uncommon following head trauma, and delayed onset of neurological complications due to retained intracerebral foreign bodies has rarely been reported. We describe the first child case of late-onset epilepsy caused by an accidental transorbital penetrating injury, resulting in a retained pencil lead fragment that was mistaken for cavernous malformation. A 14-year-old girl presented with abrupt onset of nocturnal bilateral tonic seizures. The patient was previously healthy and denied any head trauma. The seizures were not well controlled by antiepileptic drugs. Right frontal lobe epilepsy due to a cavernous malformation was suspected on the basis of brain magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography findings. A planned operation unexpectedly revealed the intracerebral pencil lead. This foreign body had gone undetected for 11 years following a minor transorbital penetrating injury. The patient remained seizure-free during the 1-year post-operative follow-up period. Head trauma by a pencil can cause transorbital penetrating injury in children. It is difficult to detect retained small foreign body fragments and the clinical presentation can be delayed. It may be mistakenly diagnosed as other pathologies, especially when patients deny any history of head trauma.

Orbital and Orbitocranial Trauma From Pencil Fragments: Role of Timely Diagnosis and Management

PURPOSE

To emphasize the importance of early detection and radiologic evaluation of retained organic foreign bodies (FBs) in orbital or orbitocranial penetrating injuries by pencil.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients who had penetrating orbital or orbitocranial trauma at 2 tertiary hospitals was conducted. Patients whose mechanism of injury was penetrating trauma by pencil were included. The patients' demographics, time between initial trauma and detection of foreign body, radiologic images, and resulting sequelae were reviewed.

RESULTS

Four patients were included in this study. All patients were male; 3 were less than 2 years of age and 1 was 34 years old. Accidents were witnessed in 2 cases, and initial detections of FBs were delayed in 3 cases, from 2 days to 7 weeks. Three cases involved the right orbit. Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the head demonstrated penetration of the orbital walls in 3 cases. Three-dimensional CT scans were used to differentiate the penetrating graphite pencil fragments from the orbital wall, and catheter angiography was used in 1 case of suspected orbital apex penetration. Vision was lost in 1 patient while other severe neurologic deficits were fully recovered after removal of FB.

CONCLUSIONS

Penetrating injury by pencils to the periorbital structures and delayed detection of retained pencil fragments can result in threat to life and vision. Radiologic examinations are essential to the detection of these retained FBs. Prompt detection and removal of the FBs within 48 hours and treatment with antibiotics can save vision and life.

Unusual sequela from a pencil stab wound reveals a retained graphite foreign body

Penetrating pencil-tip injuries are common among children and usually resolve without long-term sequelae. However, failure to detect and remove embedded pencil fragments can result in increased morbidity or misdiagnoses of other, more serious, conditions. We report on the case of a 10-year-old boy stabbed with a pencil on his right chin. Initial treatment in the emergency department included irrigation and closure of the laceration. Following suture removal, the patient returned to the emergency department (with bright-purple drainage from the wound site). Radiographic evaluation led to the discovery of an embedded foreign body requiring surgical removal.

Granuloma caused by carbon deposition in the dermis

Pencil core granuloma is characterized by a delayed foreign-body reaction against retained fragments of pencil lead. Previous case reports presented pencil core granuloma resembling malignant melanoma, haemangioma, or soft tissue sarcoma. We present a case of pencil core granuloma arising from the palm 25 years after the initial injury. The patient presented a bluish nodule that had been present over 25 years before. The nodule initially measured 5 mm in diameter. However, five years before presentation, it suddenly enlarged to the size of 30 mm during six months. Computed tomography (CT) of the lesion revealed a linear radiopaque structure of 8 mm long with a mass on its distal end. Surgical resection revealed a bluish muddy mass and pencil lead. Histological examination revealed degenerative tissue with calcification surrounded by massive amounts of black granular material in the middle and lower dermis.

T8 spinal cord transection in a 6-year-old child

Study design: Case report.

Objective: To describe a case of spinal cord transection in a 6-year-old child.

Background information: Non-missile injury of the spinal cord is not common and its incidence varies according to the country. In addition, to our knowledge, there are no published reports of spinal cord injury (SCI) from a penetrating nail. Here, we report the case of a child who developed complete SCI because of cord transection by a nail.

Methods: A detailed history and physical examination were performed along with careful review of the patient's medical records. In addition, a review of the literature was conducted to assess the incidence and treatment of similar injuries.

Case description: A 6-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital after falling from a tree and landing on a nail. His physical examination revealed an emaciated child with multiple decubitus ulcers, lying on his side in bed. Visible was a well-healed posterior puncture wound at the T8 vertebral level. On neurological examination, the patient had 0/5 muscle strength in his lower extremities, symmetrical areflexia, and hypoesthesia below the T8 level. Plain x-ray of the thoracolumbar spine was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a transected spinal cord at the T8 vertebra, consistent with his nail puncture wound.

Discussion: This report describes an unusual case of a complete SCI in a pediatric patient caused by penetrating trauma from a nail. To our knowledge, this is the first case to report on complete SCI due to trauma from a nail.

Pediatric arrowshot injury to cervical spinal cord-sagittal cord transection with no neurological deficit and good outcome: case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Penetrating spinal cord injuries (PSCI) in cervical region are extremely rare in children. They mostly occur in a mechanism of a gunshot or a stab injury with the use of sharp objects. Gunshot injuries are usually fatal or end up with tetraplegia. Stab wounds may be less severe and result in partial neurological syndrome. In the management of PSCI in children, reliable diagnostics and history of the patient are the most valuable for further decisions, which include early or delayed exploration either nonsurgical treatment. There exist no clear algorithm for antibiotic use in pediatric population--it depends on the site of an injury, presence of pathological secretion from the wound, and nature of the trauma. The use of steroids is controversial. The most common complications related to surgery include infections, edema, and hemorrhage. They may also be associated with the migration of small residual microtraumatizing agent. The literature lacks algorithms for management in children.

DISCUSSION

In this paper, an unusual case of almost total sagittal cervical cord transection is reported. The patient had no neurological symptoms and recovered with no complications. Diagnostic imaging on admission included X-ray and computed tomography. The patient underwent early surgical intervention with removal of foreign body from the cord and subsequent dural suturing. In the paper, the role of detailed history taking, adequate imaging, and drugs administration is discussed. The choice of distinct strategies is analyzed, and a revised literature review is presented in order to unify the management algorithm for pediatric PSCI.

Wooden intraorbital foreign body injuries: clinical characteristics and outcomes of 23 patients

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical characteristics, interventions, and visual outcomes of orbital injuries associated with wooden foreign bodies.

METHODS

A retrospective case review of orbital injuries managed at Wills Eye Institute and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary was conducted between 1992 and 2006.

RESULTS

The clinical course and management for a total of 23 intraorbital wooden foreign body injuries were reviewed. The distribution of wood included pencil (39%), tree branch/plant matter (35%), and other treated wood (26%). About half of the subjects (52%) presented with preoperative vision between 20/20 and 20/40. Almost all [corrected] of the subjects with preoperative vision between 20/20 to 20/40 retained vision in that range postoperatively (92%). [corrected] Time from injury to presentation was highly variable, ranging from 24 hours to 17 months (mean, 62 days; median, 3 days). Forty-three percent of subjects presented within 24 hours of injury. The site of foreign body found within the orbit was superior (26%; n = 6), medial 30% (n = 7), inferior (26%, n = 6), posterior (9%; n = 2), and lateral (4%; n = 1). Preliminary radiographic interpretation for foreign body was definite in 61% (n = 14), possible in 22% (n = 5), and absent in 13% (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONS

Young men are at particularly high risk for wood intraorbital foreign body. There was a relatively equal distribution of wood type. The time from injury to presentation was variable, ranging from <1 day to over a year. Almost half of the subjects presented within 24 hours of injury. In patients with a known site of penetration, almost half occurred in the conjunctiva, notably without presence of eyelid laceration, emphasizing the need to check the conjunctiva and fornices closely. Preliminary radiographic readings often miss or are inconclusive in detecting the foreign body. The shape, location, serial examinations, and particularly the use of quantitative CT are extremely helpful in distinguishing retained wood foreign body from other low-density signals of air or fat.

VERTEBRAL BODY GRANULOMA OF THE CERVICAL REGION AFTER PENCIL INJURY

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

Granuloma formation has been reported as a rare complication of pencil lead injury. Insufficient data exist regarding pencil lead injuries of the cervical spine. We present the findings in an 18-year-old male patient with secondary granuloma formation after a penetrating transoral pencil injury. We suggest that imaging characteristics and a detailed history will assist with the diagnosis of such lesions.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION

The patient was an 18-year-old man who presented with cervical pain. His history included falling as a child while having a pencil in his mouth. T2-weighted imaging studies documented a 1- x 1-cm enhancing lesion posterior to the vertebral body at the C3 level. The patient underwent a C3 vertebrectomy, and specimens were notable for infection, pencil lead, and granuloma formation.

CONCLUSION

In the evaluation of a potential granuloma or mass lesion of the cervical spine in a child or adolescent, the differential diagnosis may include a neoplasm. Although computed tomography is an ideal tool to detect foreign objects, including pencil leads, only awareness of the potential for pencil lead injuries and that pencil lead fragments may remain unrecognized on computed tomographic scans will assist the physician in diagnosing such injuries.