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Missile injuries to the temporal bone
1Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa.
Southern Medical Journal
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Gunshot head and neck injuries, particularly to the temporal bone, cause severe outcomes like facial nerve injury, deafness, and death. This review highlights the significant morbidity and mortality associated with these devastating ballistic traumas.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Head and neck gunshot injuries present a significant challenge in trauma care, leading to high morbidity and mortality.
- Ballistic injuries to the temporal bone, while less common, can result in devastating neurological and audiological sequelae.
Observation:
- A review of 4 years of data (1989-1993) at Tampa General Hospital identified over 100 head and neck gunshot victims.
- Within this cohort, 25 patients sustained specific injuries to the temporal bone.
Findings:
- Temporal bone missile injuries resulted in frequent complications, including facial nerve injury (8 patients), deafness (9 patients), and vertigo (3 patients).
- The overall mortality rate for head and neck gunshot injuries in the study period was substantial, with 13 deaths recorded among those with temporal bone involvement.
Implications:
- These findings underscore the critical need for specialized trauma protocols for head and neck ballistic injuries.
- Effective management strategies are crucial to mitigate the severe functional deficits and mortality associated with temporal bone gunshot wounds.