Causes of infections and management results in penetrating craniocerebral injuries.

From February 1992 to December 1994, 148 patients with penetrating craniocerebral injuries were treated surgically with primary and secondary debridement including repair of dural defects and removal of retained intracranial bone and metal fragments. Dural defects were closed primarily or with temporalis fascia, pericranium, and cadaver graft. Cerebrospinal fluid fistulas were observed in 11 (7.3%) patients; 7 of these were infected. Central nervous system (CNS) infection was seen in 2 patients without CSF fistula. Excluding those 11 patients with CSF fistula CNS infection was shown in 2 of the 137 cases (1.5%). All patients underwent CT scans periodically. In 51 (34%) of 148 patients, bone and metal fragments were determined on control CT scans. During this time, 12 patients died (8%). Most of deaths were caused by the direct effect of brain injury and occurred within the first month after injury. Fragments retained after first debridement were followed periodically by CT scan. Surgery was not performed until infection developed. Retained fragments did not increase the infection risk, but high rates of infection did occur in cases with CSF fistula.