Translucent three-dimensional CT is useful in considering the treatment strategy for the penetrating skull base injury with a metal rod: case report.

An 18-year-old male suffered a penetrating skull base injury caused by a metal rod. We made translucent three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) for clearing the injury site. This method has revealed that right carotid artery was compressed directly by the foreign body, and internal carotid artery trapping was carried out based on hemodynamics as revealed by angiography. This patient achieved modified Rankin scale score of 1 at discharge. Cases of trauma involve a variety of circumstances and therefore require a case-by-case evaluation that depends on the patient's condition. Translucent 3D CT was useful in considering the treatment strategy of the penetrating skull base injury.