Removal of nail penetrating the basilar artery

Nail-gun injuries have become an increasingly prevalent source of penetrating intracranial trauma. Few cases of intracranial nail-gun injuries disturbing major cerebrovascular structures have been reported, and none entailing basilar artery involvement. We report here the case of a 51-year-old male with an intracranial nail-gun injury involving penetration of the distal basilar artery. Operative removal was accomplished under direct vision using a double concentric cranioorbital zygomatic osteotomy for a trans-Sylvian approach. We highlight the principles involved in removing foreign bodies penetrating critical neurovascular structures.