Mortal cranial transfixion caused by an iron rod propelled by a grass mower
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35954/SM2019.38.1.11Keywords:
Skull Fractures, Brain Injuries, Traumatic, Phineas Gage, Cerebrovascular Trauma, Craniocerebral Trauma, Head Injuries, PenetratingAbstract
On December 16, 1994, a 22-year-old male patient was admitted to the Armed Forces Central Hospital from a military unit in the city of Montevideo (Uruguay). His skull was transfixed by a piece of spiral-shaped iron rod (twisted) such as those usually used in building structures. It had been propelled by a grass mower operated by another peer. The victim was in his proximity. One end of the bar emerged from the right occipital region and the other end from the mouth corner on the same side. He was alive upon admission, but in the evolution, he developed local septic complications (meningitis, ventriculitis) and finally sepsis and mortal brain stem injury after 40 days. An autopsy was performed in the Department of Legal Medicine of the hospital.
The medico legal case took place 25 years ago. However, its exceptionality within the consulted bibliography has convinced us of its interest.
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