Comparison of clinical outcomes between anteroposterior and lateral penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate and compare, using a retrospective clinical study, the clinical outcomes of penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds (PCGW) with respect to the trajectory of penetration in the axial plane.


METHODS
In total, 22 patients with PCGW caused by conflict, suicide attempt, or accidental firing were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: anteroposterior and lateral. All patients underwent surgical treatment following emergency intervention.


RESULTS
Of the 22 patients, 16 had anteroposterior and 6 had lateral penetrating injury. Four patients with anteroposterior and five patients with lateral injury died despite surgical treatment. Mortality rate was 25% in the anteroposterior and 83% in the lateral injury group.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that lateral PCGW is the most devastating type of missile injury to the head.
Izci
Y
Y
Department of Neurosurgery, Maresal Cakmak Military Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey. yusufizci@yahoo.com
Kayali
H
H
Daneyemez
M
M
Koksel
T
T
D000328:Adult; D004630:Emergencies; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*