Biomaterial Database

An unusual cranial injury caused by an industrial nail-gun. 1987

M D Thomas, and K Siu

Prince Henry's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic.

An unusual case of an industrial nail-gun injury is presented. A 36-year-old man was struck in the back of his neck by a nail, which was fired from a high velocity Ramset nail-gun. The nail passed through the foramen magnum to lodge in front of the brainstem. In spite of the close proximity of the nail's trajectory to the upper cervical spinal cord and the brain stem, no major neurological damage resulted. The nail was removed successfully the following day. This case illustrates the potential for serious injury from nail-guns.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D001933	Brain Stem	The part of the brain that connects the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES with the SPINAL CORD. It consists of the MESENCEPHALON; PONS; and MEDULLA OBLONGATA.	Brainstem,Truncus Cerebri,Brain Stems,Brainstems,Cerebri, Truncus,Cerebrus, Truncus,Truncus Cerebrus
D003388	Cranial Fossa, Posterior	The infratentorial compartment that contains the CEREBELLUM and BRAIN STEM. It is formed by the posterior third of the superior surface of the body of the sphenoid (SPHENOID BONE), by the occipital, the petrous, and mastoid portions of the TEMPORAL BONE, and the posterior inferior angle of the PARIETAL BONE.	Clivus,Cranial Fossas, Posterior,Fossa, Posterior Cranial,Fossas, Posterior Cranial,Posterior Cranial Fossa,Posterior Cranial Fossas
D005539	Foramen Magnum	The large hole at the base of the skull through which the SPINAL CORD passes.	Foramen Magnums,Magnum, Foramen,Magnums, Foramen
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000062	Accidents, Occupational	Unforeseen occurrences, especially injuries in the course of work-related activities.	Accidents, Industrial,Industrial Accidents,Occupational Accidents,Accident, Industrial,Accident, Occupational,Industrial Accident,Occupational Accident
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D014950	Wounds, Penetrating	Wounds caused by objects penetrating the skin.	Penetrating Wound,Penetrating Wounds,Wound, Penetrating