title: Traumatic brain injury caused by "balconing".
abstract: The term "balconing" refers to the practice of jumping from hotel balconies or roofs to swimming pools, or between hotel balconies. This activity is performed by young vacationists in certain European touristic locations, and it is perceived as a recreational practice. The activity generates a small but constant flow of patients with fall-related severe brain and systemic injuries. Our institution is a reference hospital for severe trauma in a geographic zone where "balconing" activity takes place. We have retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients sustaining "balconing"-related injuries. Salient features regarding epidemiology, neurosurgical injuries, systemic injuries, and outcome are described. With this series of cases, we aim to present "balconing" as a cause of traumatic brain injury and polytrauma in a defined population, and to express the concern this group of patients generate.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neurosurgery , University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol , Badalona , Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez-Bovet
authors.affiliation: b Department of Intensive Care Medicine , University Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta , Girona , Spain.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lorencio
authors.affiliation: b Department of Intensive Care Medicine , University Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta , Girona , Spain.
authors.forename: Abdo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taché
authors.affiliation: b Department of Intensive Care Medicine , University Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta , Girona , Spain.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pujol Valverde
authors.affiliation: c Department of Neurosurgery , University Hospital Dr. Josep Trueta , Girona , Spain.
authors.forename: Secundino
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martín Ferrer
keywords: balconing; brain parenchymal contusions; complex skull base fractures; decompressive craniectomy; diffuse axonal injury; traumatic brain injury