Lawrance K Chung1, Yuri Cheung1, Carlito Lagman1, Nicholas Au Yong1, Duncan Q McBride1,2, Isaac Yang3,4,5,6,7. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. iyang@mednet.ucla.edu. 4. Department of Neurosurgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA. iyang@mednet.ucla.edu. 5. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. iyang@mednet.ucla.edu. 6. Department of Radiation Oncology, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. iyang@mednet.ucla.edu. 7. Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. iyang@mednet.ucla.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The popularity of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, raises safety concerns as they become increasingly common for commercial, personal, and recreational use. Collisions between drones and people may result in serious injuries. CASE REPORT: A 13-year-old male presented with a comminuted depressed skull fracture causing effacement of the superior sagittal sinus secondary to a racing drone impact. The patient experienced a brief loss of consciousness and reported lower extremity numbness and weakness after the accident. Imaging studies revealed bone fragments crossing the superior sagittal sinus with a short, focal segment of blood flow interruption. Neurosurgical intervention was deferred given the patient's improving neurological deficits, and the patient was treated conservatively. He was discharged home in stable condition. CONCLUSION: Drones may represent a hazard when operated inappropriately due to their capacity to fly at high speeds and altitudes. Impacts from drones can carry enough force to cause skull fractures and significant head injuries. The rising popularity of drones likely translates to an increased incidence of drone-related injuries. Thus, clinicians should be aware of this growing trend.
BACKGROUND: The popularity of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, raises safety concerns as they become increasingly common for commercial, personal, and recreational use. Collisions between drones and people may result in serious injuries. CASE REPORT: A 13-year-old male presented with a comminuted depressed skull fracture causing effacement of the superior sagittal sinus secondary to a racing drone impact. The patient experienced a brief loss of consciousness and reported lower extremity numbness and weakness after the accident. Imaging studies revealed bone fragments crossing the superior sagittal sinus with a short, focal segment of blood flow interruption. Neurosurgical intervention was deferred given the patient's improving neurological deficits, and the patient was treated conservatively. He was discharged home in stable condition. CONCLUSION: Drones may represent a hazard when operated inappropriately due to their capacity to fly at high speeds and altitudes. Impacts from drones can carry enough force to cause skull fractures and significant head injuries. The rising popularity of drones likely translates to an increased incidence of drone-related injuries. Thus, clinicians should be aware of this growing trend.
Entities:
Keywords:
Drone; Skull fracture; Superior sagittal sinus; Unmanned aerial vehicle