Citation

Bhootra BL, Bhana BD. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 2004; 25(4): 355-357.

Affiliation

Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Southern Africa (Polokwane Campus), Polokwane, South Africa. drblkbhootra@yahoo.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15577529

Abstract

Missile head injury is predominantly caused by firearms; however, small blunt objects such as a stone can be propelled into the air and cause a low-velocity-type missile injury, as described in this case report. Since the cerebral damage in low-velocity missile injuries is usually focal, there might not be disturbance of consciousness until secondary brain damage occurs; therefore, adequate medical supervision is necessary to prevent and treat potentially fatal complications in a timely manner. This is a rare case of a penetrating missile wound of the head, most likely caused by the use of a stone propelled by a slingshot that penetrated the skull and lacerated the brain with the stone embedded within the substance of the brain. The deceased died at home 2 days later from focal suppurative meningitis with cerebral abscess formation and a subdural hemorrhage.