Abstract

A CRANIO-CEREBRAL INJURY BY A TRANSFIXING IRON IN A CHILD AT THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - JRA MADAGASCAR

Rakotovao T. K.*, Rakotoarivelo J. A., Rafidimalala R., Razafindraibe K. A., Ratovondrainy W., Rabarijaona M. and Andriamamonjy C.

Abstract

Cranio-cerebral injuries by transfixing object are rare in children. We report the case of a 3-year-old boy whose skull had been penetrated on both sides by a 12 mm diameter round iron following a fall. The preservation of the state of consciousness, the absence of neurological deficit, the nature of the object, the trajectory, the absence of vascular lesions are the factors of good prognosis. Despite the inaccessibility of cerebral arteriography, surgical extraction of iron was possible based on brain CT data. Regular clinic-based monitoring and repetitive brain CT scanning were required to improve the management of potential complications. The place of antiepileptic treatment and antibiotic therapy in these cases is recommended. The knowledge of the characteristics of the causative agent is important to establish the quality of management for a good prognosis.

Keywords: Child, iron, cranio-cerebral injury, transfixing.