Acute and critical care management of a pediatric patient with medullo-cerebellar impaling.
The authors present a child with an accidental cervical medullo-cerebellar impaling by an aluminum rod. Careful planning for safe removal of the rod as well as vigilant attention to early cardiac instability and flash neurogenic pulmonary edema were paramount to her successful recovery. This patient illustrates that it is possible to survive impaling of the brainstem but it requires both innovation and collaboration by multiple specialists across different departments. The value of well coordinated and collaborative neuro surgical intensive care is demonstrated in this young girl's nearly complete recovery from the accident.
Sherr
Gregory T
GT
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Mayo Mail Code 96, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA. Sherr031@umn.edu
Beal
Alan
A
Irwin
Eric
E
Roach
Robert
R
Dyste
Gregg
G
D000059:Accidents; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003422:Critical Care; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy