title: Ten self-inflicted intracranial penetrating nail gun injuries.
abstract: Penetrating craniocerebral injuries from nail gun use are rare. We describe a case of 10 self-inflicted nail gun injuries with intracranial penetrations. We also review the literature and discuss management strategies of such craniocerebral trauma. A 33-year-old male with a long-standing history of severe depression took a nail gun and sustained 10 penetrating intracranial injuries. Initial neuroimaging revealed 10 penetrating nails, all sparing the major cerebral vasculature. Immediate surgical removal was undertaken in the surgical suite using a combination of craniotomies, craniectomies, and blind removal. Intracranial injuries from self-inflicted nail gun misuse is becoming increasingly more frequent. Initial appropriate clinical decision-making are critical in preventing further cortical or vascular damage.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario.
authors.forename: Sung-Joo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Yuh
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alaqeel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D020197:Head Injuries, Penetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054041:Weapons