Citation

Moore PL, Selby G, Irving RM. J. Laryngol. Otol. 2003; 117(1): 71-74.

Affiliation

Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. plamoore@rcsed.ac.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, JLO Ltd., Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1258/002221503321046702

PMID

12590862

Abstract

The current incidence of missile injury to the temporal bone (MITB) is very low in the United Kingdom. However, the increasing frequency of firearm violence in Britain suggests a greater risk of occurrence. This, along with the devastating potential sequelae of MITB (facial palsy, dead ear, intracranial damage, major vascular injury and cosmetic disfigurement), requires otolaryngologists to be conversant with all aspects of their management. The risk of major complications is much higher with MITB than with temporal bone injury following blunt trauma, and surgical management is, therefore, much more common. We present one such case, and review the literature outlining the pathogenesis, clinical features, and recommended management.

Language: en