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Published on: August 16, 2019
Penetrating head injury from angle grinder: A cautionary tale
S Senthilkumaran1, N Balamurgan, K Arthanari
1Department of Accident, Emergency and Critical care Medicine, Chennai Medical College and Research Centre, Trichy, India.
Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice
|July 30, 2011
Summary
Improper angle grinder use can cause severe penetrating cranial injuries from shattered discs. Immediate, expert surgical intervention is crucial for managing these high-velocity foreign body impacts.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Penetrating cranial injuries pose significant life-threatening risks.
- Angle grinders can cause high-velocity penetrating cranial injuries due to disc shattering.
Observation:
- Two cases of penetrating head injuries from improper angle grinder use are presented.
- Injuries involved high-velocity disc fragments impacting the operator and a co-worker.
- Initial management at a local center involved foreign body removal and wound packing, preceding neurological decline.
Findings:
- CT scans revealed skull fractures and brain changes in both patients.
- Surgical intervention included expeditious foreign body removal, debridement, and watertight dural closure.
- Proper management emphasizes avoiding premature foreign body removal at the accident site and performing craniectomy with careful extraction along the trajectory.
Implications:
- Prompt and meticulous surgical management, including foreign body removal and debridement, is vital for improving outcomes in penetrating head injuries.
- Preventing neurological sequelae depends on the injury's severity, location, and the speed and quality of surgical intervention.
- Safe handling protocols for angle grinders are essential to prevent such severe workplace injuries.
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