Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
05:30
Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 5, 2014
28.9K
Intracranial Penetrating Taser Dart Injury
Christopher Riba1, Emmelyn Samones1, W Seth Dukes1
1Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, USA.
Cureus
|July 31, 2025
Summary
A man experienced a penetrating head injury from a taser dart. While he eloped from the hospital and reported no complications, such injuries risk intracranial hemorrhage and infection.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Neurosurgery
- Forensic Pathology
Background:
- Taser devices are frequently used by law enforcement.
- Penetrating head injuries can result from Taser deployment.
- Intracranial Taser dart injuries are rare but pose significant risks.
Observation:
- A healthy 52-year-old male presented with an intracranial penetrating Taser dart injury to the left frontal bone.
- Initial evaluation revealed somnolence and disorientation, but no focal neurologic deficits.
- Imaging confirmed Taser penetration into the cranial vault without active hemorrhage.
Findings:
- The patient eloped from the emergency department before neurosurgical intervention.
- The Taser barb was reportedly removed in a non-medical setting.
- The patient denied any immediate complications following the injury.
Implications:
- Taser penetration of the skull and intracranial vault can lead to severe complications, including hemorrhage and infection.
- Emergency physicians must maintain vigilance for potential sequelae in patients with penetrating Taser injuries.
- Delayed or non-medical management of intracranial Taser injuries may have dire consequences.
