Airgun wound with superior sagittal sinus involvement in a child. Case report and review of the literature.

Conclusion: Modern airguns may produce severe penetrating head injuries in children. Parents and physicians should be aware of the danger of NPG. Depressed skull fracture and dural venous sinus involvement can occur and even a stable neurological condition may worse n. In such instances, a thorough preoperative assessment including vascular imaging is mandatory. The surgical risk is not negligible, due to the possible injury of the sinus wall and subsequent intraoperative bleeding. This has to be weighted against potential complications of the penetrating injur y, such as infection, sinus thrombosis and intracranial hypertension. Our case suggests that prompt surgical treatment can be a safe and effective option.
Source: Pediatric Neurosurgery - Category: Neurosurgery Source Type: research