DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2021.v09i03.028

Pages: 295-298

Introduction: Craniocerebral wounds are open head injuries that can lead the brain parenchyma to communicate with the external environment. Penetrating objects of low kinetic energy are a rare cause of this type of lesions. This article is a presentation of 3 case studies of head trauma by penetrating objects seen in the department of neurosurgery of Ibn Tofail Hospital, Mohamed VI University Hospital Center of Marrakesh. Results: We report the cases of 3 patients admitted with a penetrating head trauma (craniocerebral wounds): two by knife following an assault and one by a metal bar due to a work-related incident. Our patients were conscious with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) of 15/15 in 2 patients and a score of 14/15 in 1 patient. A CT-scan of the head and a skull X-ray were performed for all 3 patients. The therapeutic management included a medical and surgical component (craniectomy, reconstruction of the dura mater and the skin). The evolution was favorable in all 3 cases. Conclusion: Craniocerebral wounds by penetrating objects are rare, but remain frequent in third world countries. A GCS of 8 or less is an indicator of poor prognosis. Infections and seizures are the most common complications. Despite their often spectacular appearance, these traumas are not always life-threatening.