Transient brain injury from penetration of a halo pin

This case report describes a patient who had a halo device for traction applied to obtain correction of scoliotic deformity between a two-stage operative procedure. The patient developed a neurological deficit suggestive of brain injury following retorquing of a halo pin. This was confirmed by an MRI scan of the brain. The patient made a full recovery of the neurological deficit following replacement of the pin.