Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Published on: July 5, 2021
Craniofacial ballpoint pen injury: endoscopic management
J R LaFrentz1, E A Mair, J D Casler
1Department of Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
A ballpoint pen tip lodged in a child's skull required endoscopic sinus surgery for safe removal. This case highlights a rare penetrating craniofacial injury and successful pediatric surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Penetrating craniofacial injuries, though infrequent, present unique challenges in pediatric cases.
- Unusual foreign bodies can cause significant trauma to delicate facial structures.
Observation:
- A 22-month-old child sustained an external orbital injury from a ballpoint pen.
- The pen penetrated the orbit, lamina papyracea, posterior ethmoid sinuses, and sphenoid sinus.
Findings:
- Computed tomography (CT) successfully localized the foreign body (ballpoint pen nib).
- Pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery enabled safe extraction of the pen nib.
- The surgical procedure resulted in minimal patient morbidity.
Implications:
- Demonstrates the efficacy of endoscopic sinus surgery in managing complex craniofacial foreign bodies in children.
- Highlights the importance of advanced imaging and minimally invasive techniques in pediatric trauma.
- Provides a valuable case report for surgical planning and management of similar rare injuries.
More Related Videos
08:25Intravital Imaging of Fluorescent Protein Expression in Mice with a Closed-Skull Traumatic Brain Injury and Cranial Window Using a Two-Photon Microscope
Published on: April 21, 2023
04:04Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection
Published on: August 15, 2025