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.
Insights
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.
Abstract:
Penetrating facial injuries are not infrequent. There have been isolated case reports of unusual penetrating craniofacial trauma. We describe an unusual case of a 22-month-old child who suffered an external orbital injury from a ballpoint pen that penetrated the orbit, lamina papyracea, posterior ethmoid sinuses, and sphenoid sinus. Endoscopic sinus surgery was performed to extract the ballpoint pen nib after localization with computed tomography. Careful pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery techniques permitted safe foreign body extraction with minimal morbidity.
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