Chopstick penetration of the posterior cranial fossa: case report

A very rare case of wooden foreign body intrusion into the posterior cranial fossa is reported. The patient, a 16-month-old girl, fell down while holding chopsticks and was injured in the right pre-auricular region. Computed tomographic scans revealed a linear low-density area ranging from the right external auditory meatus to the fourth ventricle through the petrous portion of the temporal bone, passing near the middle cerebellar peduncle. Right temporal craniotomy was performed to abrade the petrous bone, resulting in removal of the chopstick fragment. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged in ambulant condition, only with right hearing difficulty.