IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Penetrating head injury

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Stabbing.

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Male
ct

Comminuted and depressed right skull fracture with associated thin acute subdural hematoma and small parenchymal hematoma. Few locules of intracranial gas. 

Case Discussion

Penetrating head injuries have a worse injury than closed head injuries, with non-missile (i.e. stabbing using various instruments) being less common than missile (i.e. gunshot) penetrating head injuries. The squamous temporal bone, orbit, and anterior cranial fossa floor are relatively weaker areas of the skull and intracranial stabbing injuries are common at these locations. 

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.