Baseball bats: a silent weapon.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this work was to understand how the baseball bat is a silent weapon. The baseball bat has been utilized illegally in different areas of the world. In the past, several case reports are known for their lethal effect. In this paper, we analyse the outcome of the utilization of baseball bat for illegal purposes as well as review the principal injury and the utilization of baseball bat as explained by an engineer.


METHODS
The medical and radiographic records of patients admitted to Sinai-Grace and Detroit Receiving Hospitals in Detroit, MI, USA, from June 1997 to June 2000, were reviewed. Ninety patients presented with documented baseball bat injury by history. Clinical data were obtained from the patients charts. Detailed descriptions of those body parts affected by baseball bat injury were registered and classified by anatomical regions.


RESULTS
A total of 39 cranial fractures were observed, mainly on the skull base and orbital wall.


CONCLUSIONS
Baseball bat-related injury is an endemic problem in Detroit. This urban use of the baseball bat as a weapon is getting severe. A team approach to this type of injury is recommended.
Dujovny
Manuel
M
Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. manueldujovny@hotmail.com
Onyekachi
Ibe
I
Perez-Arjona
Eimir
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D014505:Urban Population; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000628:therapy*