Complex-type penetrating injuries of craniomaxillofacial region

Delayed Surgical Intervention in Cranio-Maxillofacial Splinter Injury: Report of a Case and A Literature Review

Introduction

In the context of Indian combat scenario, maxillofacial injuries from gunshots are uncommon.

Methods

The first section of this study is a case report of a rare instance of metal foreign bodies that were lodged in the parapharyngeal space, deeper to the deep lobe of the parotid right next to the carotid space in the neck. The second section focusses on the unique treatment for blast injuries as well as the variety of imaging procedures that are readily available to assist with surgery, such as plain film, CT, angiography, and occasionally MR imaging.

Result and Conclusion

According to the study, understanding the pertinent anatomy, precise imaging of the penetrating object in relation to vital structures, meticulously planned and conducted surgical removal of the foreign body, and repair of damaged structures are the key elements of a successful treatment.

Brutality of ‘Sword’ Injuries in a Rare Maxillofacial Region: 2 Case Reports

Oral and maxillofacial trauma consists of various injuries but penetrating injuries are very rare and frequently require a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. The primary survey is always the initial step in trauma management before continuing with further evaluation and treatment. The following case reports discuss the clinical strategy of our rare encounter of penetrating injuries at the same time. These cases demonstrate that complex penetrating injuries of the oral and maxillofacial region require a structured and multidisciplinary approach to prevent further side effects and obtain an ideal clinical outcome.

Traumatic prolapse of the globe into the anterior cranial fossa: a case report

Background

Orbital fracture associated with traumatic intracranial prolapse of the eyeball is rare. In all previously reported cases, vision was severely impaired with no light perception. Herein, we report a case of traumatic prolapse of the globe into the anterior cranial fossa, in which the patient’s vision was preserved by early repositioning.

Case presentation

The present case report focused on a man hit by a steel pipe, leading to prolapse of the globe of the right eye into the anterior cranial fossa through fractures in the superior orbit roof, accompanied by cerebral contusion. The eyeball was immediately repositioned into the orbital cavity, along which the wound tract was debrided and the skull base was repaired. The patient underwent a follow-up period of 12 months, during which the visual acuity increased to 12/20 without any intracranial infections. However, the patient’s ptosis persisted and was associated with complete loss of supraduction.

Conclusions

In this case, early diagnosis and proper globe repositioning with reconstruction of the orbital roof could allow recovery of vision, as well as prevention of intracranial infection.

Periorbital Trauma: A New Classification

Overlooked injured structures in periorbital trauma could lead to aesthetic and functional deficits. As trauma may affect superficial, middle, and deep components, meticulous survey guided by a structured periorbital trauma classification is needed for proper management. Thus, a new classification for periorbital trauma is proposed to serve this purpose. Periorbital region was defined anatomically by anthropometric landmarks. The periorbital injuries were categorized according to anatomical and clinical basis. The new classification was used to study periorbital trauma cases received at Ain Shams University Hospitals between July 2013 and July 2016 retrospectively. The study included 260 patients: 196 (75.38%) males and 64 (24.62%) females. The type and severity of injury, time of primary intervention, type of surgery performed, and patients' visits to the outpatient clinic were evaluated. The status of the postinjury and postoperative (primary surgery) aesthetic status and functional status were evaluated. The periorbital region was identified. Anatomical categorization of periorbital injuries included periocular, frontal, temporal, and malar regions. Injuries/deficits were categorized into simple, composite, complex, and isolated bony injuries according to the depth and involved tissues. Subsequently, the classification was formulated. In the retrospective study, the incidence of extended simple injuries was the highest, while the least was the extended complex injuries. Functional deficits occurred in 24 patients (9.23%) and aesthetic deficits occurred in 55 patients (21.15%). Required secondary operations for this group included redo of fixation, correction of medial canthal ligament, repair of canalicular system, scar revisions, fat grafting, and creation of natural creases. The results of this study demonstrated that unsatisfactory aesthetic and functional results occurred when injuries of important structures were overlooked, aesthetic units were not respected, and when management was delayed. A three-dimensional, oriented, new classification of periorbital trauma based on anatomical and clinical categorization is proposed to help in identifying injured structures, stimulate the search for other injuries, structure preoperative evaluation, and recommend a surgical plan that would ultimately achieve precise primary repair with best aesthetic and functional outcome.

Undiagnosed impacted knife blade from a penetrative orbital injury: A case report

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The mode of entry of the foreign body was unique as well as the force required to impale and break a knife blade in bone.

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The authors present a minimally invasive technique for dealing with this type of injury and highlight its challenges.

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This case report emphasis the need for baseline radiology in cases of traumatology especially those with vague history.

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The patient was examined by multiple physicians who did not detect the foreign body which could raise medico-legal issues.

Introduction

Impacted foreign bodies in the complex maxillofacial region is uncommon and their safe removal is a challenge.

Case presentation

The authors report an unusual case of a 41 year old male patient who suffered from violence-related orbital trauma with a knife. The presence of this foreign body was not diagnosed for a period of 20 months. After proper clinical and radiologic examination it was localized and extracted in the theater in a safe controlled manner. Although the tip of the blade was left in situ, the patient had a rapid uneventful recovery and follow up.

Discussion

The path of penetration of the foreign body in presented case didn't follow the predicted patterns of orbital injury described in literature. A dilemma exists as to how aggressive such injuries should be managed. Thus the surgical approach implemented for retrieving the current foreign body was highlighted.

Conclusion

Radiographs are a crucial element for early diagnosis and proper management of foreign body injuries. Rapid postoperative recovery can be achieved with simple safe surgical retrieval maneuvers.

Aggression Using a Knife or Other Sharp Instruments and Oral-Maxillofacial Trauma: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Epidemiologic Trends

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to characterize the profile of victims of interpersonal physical violence (IPV) caused by a knife or other sharp instrument, identify the factors associated with maxillofacial trauma, and examine the incidence of maxillofacial trauma over time.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective cohort study, we evaluated 569 medicolegal and social records of IPV victims by knife or other sharp instruments treated at a forensic medicine and dentistry center in Brazil during a 4-year consecutive period. The variables investigated were related to the sociodemographic characteristics of the victims, circumstances of the aggression, and trauma patterns. Descriptive and multivariate statistics through Poisson regression and trend analysis with the creation of polynomial regression models were used.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of oral-maxillofacial trauma was 19.3%. The mean age of the victims was 31.29 ± 13.82 years. Cases of trauma affecting more than one region of the face prevailed (45.5%). Based on the final Poisson regression model, unemployed people were more likely to exhibit maxillofacial trauma (relative risk [RR] 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-3.35; P = .039). In addition, individuals were more likely to experience maxillofacial trauma on Wednesdays (RR 1.85; 95% CI 1.01-3.37; P = .045). The trend analysis revealed a significant increase in oral-maxillofacial injuries over time (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of oral-maxillofacial trauma was high, and the main factors associated with trauma were the victim's employment status and day of occurrence. Future studies will focus on assessing the effect of maxillofacial trauma on the quality of life and well-being of violence victims.

The Transcranial Stab Wound and the Life-Saving Zygomatic Arch Clinical Report

A 58-year-old man presented to the neurosurgical emergencies for a transzygomatic transcranial stab wound with a retained broken knife. The patient was neurologically intact. After radiographic evaluation the knife was found to be penetrating the temporal lobe, neighboring the intracavernous portion of the carotid artery. The patient was successfully managed in a conservative way. No abnormalities were seen at 12 months of follow-up. Dealing with penetrating head injuries is a usual condition in neurosurgical practice. Some situations are though really challenging, especially when the offending object is still in place, with a close connection to vital structures. This clinical reports an unusual penetrating head injury, highlighting the importance of careful radiographic evaluation and trying to discuss clear management options.

Traumatic aneurysm of the callosomarginal artery-cortical artery junction from penetrating injury by scissors

Traumatic intracranial aneurysms (TICAs) are rare and are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. TICAs usually result from head injuries caused by traffic accidents, industrial accidents, or gunshots. We report a traumatic aneurysm of the callosomarginal artery-cortical artery junction arising from a penetrating injury by scissors. A 51-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital after suffering a penetrating injury caused by scissors. Computed tomography (CT) and CT-angiography demonstrated a right orbital roof fracture, subarachnoid hemorrhage, frontal lobe hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, and a traumatic aneurysm of the right callosomarginal artery-cortical artery junction. We trapped the traumatic aneurysm and repositioned a galeal flap. Postoperative CT showed a small infarction in the left frontal lobe. Follow-up angiography two months later showed no residual aneurysm. We suggest that an aggressive surgical intervention be performed whenever TICA is diagnosed.

Glass particle injury to the maxillofacial region

A retrospective study was carried out wherein 10 patients with glass particle injury reporting to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery between January 2011 and March 2012 were included. Preoperative photographs and radiographs were done, and detailed surgical planning followed. Ninety percent of the patients were males with involvement of the right side of the face in 70% of the cases. The most common presenting symptom was patient sensation, which was the reason for availing delayed treatment in 70% of cases, followed by delayed or fibrotic healing (20%) and pain (10%). The diagnosis and planning were done based on computed tomographic scan (50% cases), plain radiographs (30%), needle as tactile aid (10%), and palpation (10%). Eighty percent of cases were diagnosed/presented late. The timely diagnosis of glass particle injuries requires a high degree of suspicion for the same. A systematic diagnosis and treatment planning for such injuries can minimize the morbidity and prevent such injuries from being overlooked at time of primary injury.

Treatment of a transorbital penetrating injury: a particular endovascular approach

The management of craniocerebral penetrating injury currently represents a challenge for neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists and requires innovative planning. This report describes the case of a worker admitted to hospital with an intracranial piece of concrete-cutting saw stuck through the right eye. At the time of admission the patient was conscious and this fact influenced the choice of a particular approach. This patient escaped without neurological deficit or complications, except for the inevitable removal of an eye.

A rare case of a glass fragment impacted in the parapharyngeal space associated with neurovascular compromise

It is rare for foreign bodies to be found in the parapharyngeal space due to the protection of the mandibular ramus and zygomatic bone. The authors describe a rare case of a patient with an unusual penetrating neck injury caused by broken windshield glass in a traffic accident, which lodged in the parapharyngeal space and punctured the internal jugular vein and cranial nerves. 3 weeks later, a delayed exploration was performed on the patient after detailed evaluation of the relationship between the foreign body and the great vessels. The authors removed the glass fragment easily with no active bleeding because it had been surrounded by a fibrous envelope. This experience indicates that increasing the duration of foreign body retention in the parapharyngeal space may be helpful, allowing fibrosis to surround the foreign body, reducing the risk of active bleeding when it is removed.

Knife inflicted penetrating injuries of the maxillofacial region: a descriptive, record-based study

Penetrating knife injuries of the face are more common in South Africa than the rest of the world. These injuries can be life-threatening, especially where the major blood vessels of the face are involved. The approach to treatment should be multidisciplinary, beginning with the trauma unit to provide airway maintenance and haemodynamic stabilisation. An interventional radiologist may be consulted for angiography. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively analyse all cases of knife-inflicted penetrating injuries to the maxillofacial region with the knife in situ and subsequently develop a management protocol to be used by maxillofacial surgery registrars when presented with such cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It was a retrospective, cross-sectional and record-based study, analysing all penetrating knife injuries reported at various hospitals for a period of 11 years. In this study, 24 cases of knife injuries were analysed.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (87.5%) in this series were male and three (12.5%) were female. Of these 24 patients, 13 (54.2%) were coloured and 11 (45.8%) were black. There were no white or Indian patients. Post-surgical recovery of all patients was rapid and uneventful, and there were no fatalities.

CONCLUSION

Patients with knife injuries to the face with no definite signs of vascular injury can thus be safely and accurately managed on the basis of physical examination and plain-film radiography. An angiogram is mandatory if the patient presents with excessive bleeding, an expanding haematoma or if the knife blade is in the region of any large vessels.