The Pan African Medical Journal (Dec 2017)

Penetrating head trauma: 03 rare cases and literature review

  • Youssef Fahde,
  • Mehdi Laghmari,
  • Mohamed Skoumi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2017.28.305.10376
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 305

Abstract

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Penetrating head trauma (PHT) include all open head injuries with foreign object in the brain. Although less common than closed head trauma, penetrating head trauma carry a worse prognosis. We received three unusual cases of penetrating head injuries whose prognosis was different according to clinical presentation and initial management of the patient. Treatment of penetrating head trauma aims at controlling bleeding, controlling intracranial pressure and preventing infections. Despite the efforts made by national authorities as well as the adequate management in hospitals, penetrating head injuries are still frequent with significant mortality and morbidity.

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