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Retained foreign body in ethmoid with bilateral pneumoencephaly
S Oaleed Noordally1, Guy Djapong Nkala, Jose C Sena
1Department of Critical Care, U1020, CHU Brugmann, Free University of Brussels, Brussels. Sheikoaleed.Noordally@chu-brugmann.be
Acta Neurologica Belgica
|September 30, 2010
Summary
A rare case of intracranial penetrating injury occurred in a 79-year-old. A wooden object caused a fractured ethmoid bone, leading to bilateral pneumoencephaly, a condition previously unreported.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Intracranial penetrating injuries are uncommon, particularly those entering through the nasal passage.
- Retained foreign bodies in the ethmoid bone present unique diagnostic and management challenges.
Observation:
- A 79-year-old patient sustained an intracranial penetrating injury from a wooden object.
- The injury resulted in a fractured ethmoid bone with displacement of the crista galli.
- Massive bilateral pneumoencephaly was observed, indicating air in the cranial cavity.
Findings:
- This case represents a unique instance of a retained wooden foreign body in the ethmoid bone.
- The ethmoid fracture and crista galli displacement were directly linked to the foreign body.
- The combination of these findings led to the hitherto unreported complication of bilateral pneumoencephaly.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering nasal foreign bodies in penetrating head trauma.
- Emphasizes the potential for severe complications like pneumoencephaly from seemingly minor nasal injuries.
- Suggests the need for advanced imaging and careful surgical planning in such rare cases.
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