Attempted suicide or hitting the nail on the head. Case report

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Self-harm and suicide attempts present unique challenges in emergency medicine.
• Penetrating head trauma requires immediate and specialized neurosurgical intervention.

Observation:

• A patient presented after an unsuccessful suicide attempt involving self-inflicted penetrating brain injury with nails.
• Initial management was provided by a first-aider before neurosurgical assessment.

Findings:

• Despite the severe mechanism of injury, the patient survived the suicide attempt.
• Surgical intervention by a neurosurgeon was straightforward.
• No long-term neurological deficits or sequelae were observed post-treatment.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for unexpected recovery from severe penetrating brain injuries.
• It underscores the importance of prompt medical and neurosurgical care in managing complex trauma.
• The case provides valuable insight into the management of rare and severe self-inflicted head injuries.