title: Squash(ed): Craniofacial and vertebral injury from collision on squash court.
abstract: Squash is a popular racquet sport not usually associated with severe head or spinal injury. The incidence of squash-related injury ranges from 35.5 to 80.9 per 100,000 players, with the most common sites being the lower-limbs and eyes. We present a case of extensive traumatic craniomaxillofacial and vertebral injury resulting from collision on a squash court, without use of protective gear. The patient sustained fractures of the frontal bone, orbits, maxillae, zygomas, the first and second cervical vertebrae and the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertrebra. This is the first case of squash-related injury with such extensive craniofacial and vertebral involvement. This unique case required multiple surgical procedures as well as an extensive admission to the intensive care unit and highlights the risk of significant craniomaxillofacial trauma in sports not usually associated with such injuries.
authors.affiliation: Medical Teaching and Administration Unit, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown NSW Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Alp
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atik
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krilis
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parker