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Penetrating head injury in a paediatric patient caused by an electrical plug
Antonio López González1, Antonio Gutiérrez Marín, José Andrés Alvarez Garijo
1Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Avenida Campanar, 21, 46009, Valencia, Spain. anlopezgon@telefonica.net
Insights
A rare penetrating head injury in a 6-month-old was caused by an electrical plug. This case highlights the potential dangers of household objects in pediatric head trauma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Medical Device Safety
Background:
- Penetrating head injuries are uncommon in children.
- Minor falls can result in severe brain injuries.
Observation:
- A 6-month-old sustained a penetrating head injury from an electrical plug.
- The plug's pins were embedded in the posterior parietal region, near the midline.
- Radiological imaging revealed a depressed skull fracture without intracranial bleeding.
Findings:
- Surgical extraction of the electrical plug and fracture segments was successful.
- The superior sagittal sinus remained undamaged despite proximity to the injury.
- The child experienced no neurological deterioration.
Implications:
- Household electrical plugs pose a potential risk to young children.
- Revisiting electrical plug design may enhance child safety.
- Awareness of common object-related pediatric head trauma is crucial.
Introduction:
Penetrating head injuries are rare especially in the paediatric age group. Relatively minor falls over common household objects can cause potentially life-threatening brain injuries.
Case Report:
We describe a penetrating head injury caused by a household electrical plug in a 6-month-old child. The two rounded pins of the plug were embedded in the posterior parietal area of her head, very close to the cranial midline. There was no neurological deterioration or bleeding. Radiological investigation showed a depressed skull fracture underneath the two pins. One of them came very close to the superior sagittal sinus but there was no evidence of intracranial bleeding. The electrical plug was extracted under general anaesthesia in the operating theatre. The penetrating fracture segments were removed. The sagittal venous sinus was fortunately undamaged.
Conclusions:
Household objects like electrical plugs may constitute a risk for children. It may be worthwhile to reconsider the design of electrical plugs.
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