Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
10:06
Personalized Needles for Microinjections in the Rodent Brain
Published on: January 24, 2018
Sewing needles in the brain: infanticide attempts or accidental insertion?
Carmelo Lucio Sturiale1, Luca Massimi, Annunziato Mangiola
1Institute of Neurosurgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. cropcircle.2000@virgilio.it
Neurosurgery
|August 31, 2010
Summary
Intracranial sewing needles, a rare phenomenon historically linked to ancient Persia, were found in an Italian woman. The case highlights the need for awareness, as many instances may go undiagnosed, particularly in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Medical History
Background:
- Intracranial sewing needles inserted via the anterior fontanelle were first documented in 1914.
- Most reported cases originate from Turkey and Iran, with scattered occurrences globally.
- Historical non-medical texts suggest a link to the Persian Empire.
Observation:
- An 82-year-old Italian woman presented with hemiparesis and gait disturbance.
- Brain imaging revealed a chronic subdural hematoma and three 4-cm sewing needles near the anterior fontanelle.
- The patient had no recollection of the needles' insertion.
Findings:
- Surgical evacuation of the subdural collection was performed.
- The sewing needles were intentionally left in situ and monitored.
- This case adds to the limited literature on intracranial foreign bodies.
Implications:
- Intracranial needling may be more prevalent than reported, with potential underdiagnosis in infants.
- Management strategies vary, with conservative follow-up often recommended for asymptomatic individuals.
- Reviewing historical and clinical data is crucial for understanding this rare phenomenon.
