title: Penetrating craniofacial injury in a pediatric patient.
abstract: Penetrating craniofacial injuries are rare especially in the pediatric age group. They are potentially life-threatening and challenging injuries. We describe an unusual trauma in a 30-month-old child who suffered a craniofacial injury caused by TV antenna. Clinical examination and radiological investigation showed the antenna penetrating the hard palate, left posterior nasal choana, sphenoid sinus, and skull base, up to pituitary fossa. There was no evidence of great vessels injury that confirmed by cerebral angiography. Transpalatal approach was used to remove the antenna and repair the skull base defect. There was no neurological or visual activity deficit postoperatively. The child developed diabetes insipidus that is well controlled using desmopressin.
authors: Department of Surgery-Otolaryngology Division, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, PO Box 17228 khalidiya, 72453 Kuwait. kalseb66@yahoo.com
authors: Khalid
authors: K
authors: Al-Sebeih
authors: Kostadin
authors: K
authors: Karagiozov
authors: Abdulmohsen
authors: A
authors: Jafar
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003919:Diabetes Insipidus / Q000209:etiology; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000293:injuries; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000293:injuries; D019291:Skull Base / Q000293:injuries; D013690:Television