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Hidden Threat: A Delayed Diagnosis of an Intracranial Impacted Car Key Leading to Brain Abscess

Ghassen Gader1, Kerima Belhadj Ali1, Houssem Hdhili1

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Trauma and Burns Center, Ben Arous, Tunisia.

Korean Journal of Neurotrauma
|August 8, 2025
PubMed

Insights

A retained car key caused a brain abscess after a minor head injury. Prompt surgical removal and antibiotics are crucial for managing such rare but serious penetrating cranial injuries.

Area of Science:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Trauma Surgery
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Penetrating cranial injuries with retained foreign bodies are uncommon but pose significant risks.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management are vital to prevent severe outcomes like infection and neurological deficits.

Observation:

  • A 38-year-old male presented with persistent headaches post-assault, initially treated conservatively for a minor head wound.
  • A subsequent brain computed tomography revealed an intracranial car key, lodged in the left temporal bone, causing an abscess.

Findings:

  • Surgical intervention, including craniotomy and abscess evacuation, was performed for foreign body removal.
  • Postoperative antibiotic therapy was administered to manage the infection.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the necessity of comprehensive evaluation and imaging in all head trauma cases, regardless of initial symptom severity.
  • Early detection and intervention for intracranial foreign bodies are critical to avert life-threatening complications and ensure optimal patient recovery.
Keywords:
Brain abscessBrain traumaNeurosurgery

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