Impalement injury to the head with intact neurology following spontaneous Dane gun explosion: Two case reports and review of the literature

Yahaya A; Koko AM

doi:10.61386/imj.v18i1.610

Authors

Yahaya A Department of Neurosurgery, Regional Centre for Neurosurgery, Usmanu, Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto, Nigeria
Koko AM Department of Neurosurgery, Regional Centre for Neurosurgery, Usmanu, Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Sokoto, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v18i1.610

Keywords:

impalement head injury, Dane gun, traumatic brain injury, craniotomy, craniectomy

Abstract

Introduction: Impalement brain injury is a complex brain trauma resulting from unusual mechanisms, especially in areas bedevilled by civil unrest.

Objective: To describe the successful management of impalement head injury in our centre.

Case description: A 22 and 18-year-old man presented with altered consciousness following head trauma by a recoiled metallic part of the Dane gun. Clinical and radiological evaluations were in keeping with the impalement head injury. They were successfully managed by foreign object retrieval, antibiotics, and anticonvulsants and discharged home with no neurological deficits.

Conclusion: The two cases of impalement head injury had remarkable recovery following prompt surgical removal, antibiotics and wound care.