Thiti Samuthrat1, Ke Ye1, Ying Tong2. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. Electronic address: Tongying216@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Transoral penetrating injury from a blunt-tipped chopstick is unusual and should be promptly dealt with because it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 2-year-old girl who sustained a transoral penetrating brain injury after falling onto a bamboo chopstick, which penetrated through the hard palate and eventually led to middle skull base fracture as well as temporal lobe laceration and contusion. The chopstick was successfully extracted via a transoral approach followed by administration of empirical antibiotics and anticonvulsants. The postoperative course was uneventful, and a 2-year follow-up evaluation revealed a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative and postoperative imaging and extensive monitoring of the patient's condition are mandatory for evaluation of possible development of complications. An optimal result can be obtained by a tailored management and treatment approach for each specific patient.
BACKGROUND: Transoral penetrating injury from a blunt-tipped chopstick is unusual and should be promptly dealt with because it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a case of a 2-year-old girl who sustained a transoral penetrating brain injury after falling onto a bamboo chopstick, which penetrated through the hard palate and eventually led to middle skull base fracture as well as temporal lobe laceration and contusion. The chopstick was successfully extracted via a transoral approach followed by administration of empirical antibiotics and anticonvulsants. The postoperative course was uneventful, and a 2-year follow-up evaluation revealed a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative and postoperative imaging and extensive monitoring of the patient's condition are mandatory for evaluation of possible development of complications. An optimal result can be obtained by a tailored management and treatment approach for each specific patient.