Craniofacial metal bolt injury: an unusual mechanism

Penetrating Midface Trauma: A Case Report, Review of the Literature, and a Diagnostic and Management Protocol

PURPOSE

Penetrating facial trauma is an uncommon injury, but patients who present with these dramatic situations require special consideration. We describe the case of a young man who had been shot with an arrow that deeply penetrated his midface as well as report the results of a literature review of penetrating midface injuries. The information gathered was used to create a diagnostic protocol for patients who sustain such injuries.

METHODS

A PubMed search up to October 2019 using several key phrases was performed, and 623 unique articles were evaluated. Excluding firearm injuries to the midface, there were 57 unique cases that involved penetrating midface injuries. Clinical and imaging data were compiled and evaluated with descriptive statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The average patient age was 27 years, with a male predilection. The most common reported etiology was accidental trauma (54%), and a knife was the most common weapon of injury (30%). The most common (32%) specific location of trauma was within the orbital region, including the canthus or the eyelid. In all cases where the patient had not died immediately, surgery was used to remove the penetrating object. We found that computed tomography was the most commonly obtained imaging study (39% of cases). Radiographs were the sole imaging in 28% of the cases, with angiography (16%) and magnetic resonance imaging (10%) used less frequently in management. In 28% of the cases, deep structures, such as the carotid artery, sphenoid sinus, or skull base, were involved in the injury. In 25% of the cases, there was injury to the central nervous system. Death occurred in 8.8% of the cases. Postoperative complications occurred in at least 21% of the cases. Statistical analysis also revealed a significant correlation between antibiotic use and full recovery. Penetration of the object posterior to the maxillary sinus was correlated with incomplete recovery or death.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on all case reports collected, a Dartmouth Penetrating Midface Protocol was developed to aid the practitioner who may happen to be responsible for these dramatic life-threatening injuries. The Dartmouth Penetrating Midface Protocol is based on the type of imaging available at the treating facility, the neurologic and hemodynamic stability of the patient, and the depth of penetration beyond the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus.

Management of an Unusual Intranasal Foreign Body Abutting the Cribriform Plate: A Case Report and Review of Literature

A 35-year-old man with history of schizophrenia presented 3 weeks after placing a screw in his right nostril. Initial imaging showed a screw in the right ethmoid sinus with the tip penetrating the right cribriform plate. On exam, the patient was hemodynamically stable with purulent drainage in the right nasal cavity but no visible foreign body. While most nasal foreign bodies occur in children and are generally removed at the bedside, intranasal foreign bodies in adults tend to require further assessment. The foreign body in this case was concerning for skull base involvement and the patient was brought to the operating room (OR) with neurosurgery for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and removal of foreign body. The screw was removed and the patient recovered with no signs of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak postoperatively. Any concern for skull base or intracranial involvement should call for a full evaluation of the mechanism of injury and intervention in a controlled environment.

[Mason's lacing cord. Potential danger of severe open ocular injuries]

BACKGROUND

Introduction of new working equipment or the modification of established working routines could induce new trauma mechanisms. In all of theses cases ophthalmologists are not only responsible for ocular treatment they also have to act as assessors. This might include legal aspects, e.g. to validate the circumstances of an accident.

METHODS

We present a new trauma mechanism caused by a mason's lacing cord which was fixed with nails. In addition to two case studies we collected experimental data (maximum tension and maximum elongation of various mason's lacing cords) about the triggering event using standard test conditions.

RESULTS

A tensile force of 96.2 N was needed to achieve maximum elongation of mason's lacing cords. With a cord length of 5 m, an elongation of 0.09 m was enough to cause penetrating injuries (for 10 m cord length the critical elongation was 0.13 m). Under these conditions a nail could be accelerated to a velocity of 18 m/s. This may lead to open eyeball injuries with severe visual loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Nails fixed to elastic mason's lacing cords are potential risk factors for occupational ocular injuries and severe loss of vision. Caution labels should be attached to the work equipment and proper eye protection should be used to prevent severe occupational ocular injuries.

Nail projectiles propelled by a mason's lacing cord: an experimental approach

The recent clinical observation of two unintentional penetrating ocular and cerebral injuries due to 90-mm construction nails gave occasion to an experimental study to check the alleged trauma mechanism for plausibility. Both casualties reported that they had attached a mason's lacing cord to the masonry using a nail as anchoring when suddenly the nail was yanked from its moorings and propelled like a missile by the overstretched lacing cord. As to the best of the authors' knowledge, this mechanism of injury has not yet been reported in any of the literature; it was the aim to find an experimental approach to review the plausibility of the alleged sequence of events leading to the accidents. The tensile strength at break and strain at break of different mason's lacing cords (diameter of 1 and 2 mm) were measured according to DIN EN ISO 2062 by using a tensile testing machine. Based on the maximum spring energy of the lacing cords, which was determined 174.9 J for the 1-mm cord (length 10 m) and 747.4 J for the 2-mm cord (length 10 m), the maximum possible velocity of the nails as projectiles was calculated to be 243.5 m/s for the 1-mm cord and 503.4 m/s for the 2-mm cord. The critical elongation a cord of a certain length has to be stretched to deliver enough kinetic energy to a 90-mm nail to surpass the threshold velocity for skin penetration, which was investigated by Sellier (1977) to be approximately 18 m/s, was also calculated. To conclude, the energy delivered by the cords is high enough to surpass the rather low threshold velocity of nails. The details of how these accidents occurred, which seemed questionable at first, can be reasonably explained by trauma biomechanics.

Unusual fishing harpoon injury of the maxillofacial region in a child

INTRODUCTION

Injuries by fishing harpoon are extremely rare. Despite the similarities to other penetrating injuries normally caused by gunshot and stab wounds, harpoon injuries feature hook-type tips pointing to the opposite direction to that of removal, thus rendering the surgery more complex.

CASE REPORT

The authors report on a case of a child who sustained an injury caused by two-piece fragments of a fishing harpoon to the right temporal and orbital regions.

DISCUSSION

The diagnosis process is discussed and a suggestion is presented as to treatment principles. The authors support the use of small incisions that are just small enough to clear the tissues surrounding the object and allow for the removal of said object from the outside to the inside and counter indicate any attempt to pull the object. Such approach was used in this case with a satisfactory result and minimum sequels.

Penetrating head injury from nailguns: a case series from New Zealand

Penetrating head injury from nailguns has become increasingly recognised due to their frequent use in the construction industry and home. We report a New Zealand case series of 12 penetrating nailgun head injuries, the largest of its type, detailing presentation, management, risk factors and outcomes. Recommendations based on these factors are provided, suggesting a minimal surgical approach and an individually case-assessed need for antibiotic prophylaxis and anti-epileptic drugs. Prognostic factors on initial imaging are discussed. The majority of injuries, despite being visually impressive, are associated with minimal neurological impairment.