[Metallic foreign bodies of brain ventricles]

Head injuries are often associated with intracranial foreign bodies that require decision making on the need for certain surgical treatment. Intraventricular foreign bodies are rare, so the question of surgical tactics is still open.

To summarize the experience of treating the wounded with intraventricular foreign bodies.

Treatment outcomes in victims with foreign bodies in lateral ventricles are presented. Searching in the e-Library, PubMed, Google Scholar databases included the following keywords: «penetrating wounds», «foreign bodies», «cerebral ventricles», «gunshot injury», «ventricular foreign bodies». We analyzed data on the treatment of victims with intraventricular foreign bodies.

Three victims underwent surgery, and foreign bodies were removed from the occipital horn of the lateral ventricle, third ventricle and temporal horn of the lateral ventricle. Conservative approach was preferred in 1 case. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 7 years, GOS score - 3-4 points. Disability was due to severe injury and not associated with surgical treatment per se. We found 16 publications matching the searching criteria. Treatment methods varied from standard surgical approaches to stereotactic management. The indication for removal of foreign bodies was their migration through the ventricular system and occlusive hydrocephalus. None patient had neurological aggravation.

Intraventricular foreign bodies are rare and present certain difficulties in choosing the method and timing of treatment. Indications for their removal are migration, occlusive hydrocephalus and infectious complications. The method of removal is determined depending on location, magnetic properties, nature of injury, surgical preferences and other factors.