[Penetrating craniocerebral injuries during downhill skiing]

Two cases of penetrating craniocerebral injuries which occurred during alpine skiing were presented. The first was a 25-year-old lady whose calvarium was impaled with a ski pole in the anterior part of the orbital roof following an interpersonal collision. She was brought to the Critical Care and Emergency Center, Iwate Medical University. On admission, her consciousness was clear and a stab wound was observed in her upper eyelid. Initial CT showed bone fracture of the anterior part of the orbital roof and a small intracerebral hematoma associated with bone fragment was revealed. Immediate removal of the hematoma and foreign body was carried out and duralplasty was performed. She had a very good postoperative course but residual anosmia. The second was a 9-year-old boy who lost control and collided with a tree during downhill skiing. A twig penetrated through his left maxillary sinus. He was brought to the Critical Care and Emergency Center, Iwate Medical University. On admission, his consciousness was clear. CT showed a round low density area from his anterior lobe to the Nucleus caudatus, indicating the tract of the twig. Immediately, duralplasty and removal of the foreign body was performed. He had a very good postoperative course.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)