title: Serious head injuries from lawn darts.
abstract: Serious injuries secondary to lawn darts have not been reported. In this article two cases of penetrating skull injuries are reported. One patient developed a polymicrobial brain abscess necessitating surgical drainage and a prolonged hospitalization. Psychologic function was diminished at discharge. The second child required surgical repair of a depressed skull fracture. Thirteen lawn dart head injuries have been reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission between 1983 and 1985. These injuries are summarized along with the reported cases to point out the seriousness (neurologic impairment in 5/10 head injuries) of such injuries and warn parents and physicians of the potential dangers of this game.
mesh_terms: D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000209:etiology; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*