Source
Department of Neurosurgery, Maresal Cakmak Military Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey. yusufizci@yahoo.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate and compare, using a retrospective clinical study, the clinical outcomes of penetrating craniocerebral gunshot wounds (PCGW) with respect to the trajectory of penetration in the axial plane.
METHODS:
In total, 22 patients with PCGW caused by conflict, suicide attempt, or accidental firing were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: anteroposterior and lateral. All patients underwent surgical treatment following emergency intervention.
RESULTS:
Of the 22 patients, 16 had anteroposterior and 6 had lateral penetrating injury. Four patients with anteroposterior and five patients with lateral injury died despite surgical treatment. Mortality rate was 25% in the anteroposterior and 83% in the lateral injury group.
CONCLUSION:
We found that lateral PCGW is the most devastating type of missile injury to the head.