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[Potential neurosurgical damage of rubber bullets. Analysis of 2 pediatric cases]
1Service de Neurochirurgie, Unité de Neurochirurgie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Purpan, 31059 Toulouse. rouxfran@compuserve.com
Insights
Rubber bullets can cause severe craniocerebral injuries in children, including fatal outcomes. Despite their name, these projectiles pose significant risks, as demonstrated in two pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Forensic Pathology
- Ballistics
Background:
- Rubber bullets are less-lethal projectiles used in crowd control.
- Their design may create a false impression of safety.
- Previous incidents suggest potential for serious injury.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases of severe craniocerebral injury from rubber bullet impacts are presented.
- Case 1: An 11-year-old boy with fatal bi-hemispheric fronto-parietal injury and intraventricular hemorrhage.
- Case 2: A 14-year-old boy with significant left fronto-temporal cerebral contusion.
Findings:
- The rubber bullets consisted of a metal cylinder with a thin rubber coating.
- Impacts resulted in extensive brain damage, including hemorrhage and contusion.
- The severity of injury is disproportionate to the 'rubber' component.
Implications:
- Rubber bullets are not harmless and can cause life-threatening head injuries in children.
- Medical professionals should be aware of the potential for severe craniocerebral trauma from these projectiles.
- Re-evaluation of the safety and deployment of rubber bullets is warranted.
Abstract:
We present 2 cases of craniocerebral injuries in children caused by rubber bullets. The potential severity of these projectiles is discussed. The first case was an eleven-year-old boy who died a few days after having been injured by a rubber bullet during a riot. He presented with a bi-hemispheric fronto-parietal craniocerebral injury with massive intraventricular hemorrhage. The second case was a fourteen-year-old boy also injured by a similar rubber bullet with an important left fronto-temporal cerebral contusion. These projectiles were composed of a metal cylinder (length: 1.7 cm, diameter: 1.7 cm) covered by a 2 mm layer of rubber. The term "rubber bullet" could give the impression that these projectiles are harmless. But, based on these observations and on the literature, these rubber bullets (like their predecessors) can induce severe, or even fatal craniocerebral injuries.