Knife wound to the posterior fossa in a child.
BACKGROUND
Knife wounds to the posterior fossa are a rare occurrence, especially in children. We report an 8-year-old girl who sustained a penetrating knife injury through the occipital bone into the posterior fossa. On presentation, the large knife blade was firmly embedded in her head.


METHODS
Radiographic evaluation was limited to plain X-rays because of the large size and sharpness of the embedded blade. Innovative positioning was used during intubation and then the patient was positioned semi-prone on the operating room table. The blade was surgically removed and the dura was closed.


CONCLUSIONS
Atypical penetrating cranial injuries in children may require the treatment team to take a creative approach to the evaluation and repair of the lesion in order to maximize patient safety and minimize the risk of neurological injury.
Mohan
Avinash L
AL
Department of Neurosurgery, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
Slim
Michel
M
Benzil
Deborah L
DL
D002648:Child; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000532:radiotherapy*