@article{ref1,
title="Fatal penetrating head injuries caused by projectile tear-gas canisters",
journal="World neurosurgery",
year="2020",
author="Hoz, Samer S. and Aljuboori, Zaid S. and Dolachee, Ali A. and Al-Sharshahi, Zahraa F. and Alrawi, Mohammed A. and Al-Smaysim, Ammar M.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Since their advent in the 1920s, tear gas canisters have been frequently used in crowd-control. Few reports have documented non-penetrating injuries attributed directly to the tear gas canisters (TGC). In this study, we report a case series of fatal penetrating head injuries caused by TGC. <br><br>METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all the patients who were admitted to the Neurosurgery Teaching Hospital (NTH) in Baghdad since the start of the anti-government protests (October/2019). All patients who suffered a penetrating head trauma caused by TGC were included in our study. We collected the patients' demographics, wound location, neurological exam, computed tomography (CT) scan findings, surgical management, and clinical outcomes. <br><br>RESULTS: We found 10 cases of penetrating head trauma caused by the TGC. All victims were males, with a mean age of 16 years (range of 14 -19). The mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 7 (range of 3-10). The neurological examination revealed unilateral hemiplegia/hemiparesis and pupillary abnormality in 40% (N=4) and 50% (N=5) of the patients, respectively. The CT scans revealed an extensive pattern of brain damage. Surgical intervention was done in 80% of cases (N=8), it included removal of the TGCs, wound debridement, and hemostasis. The in-hospital mortality rate was 100% (N=10), with all fatalities occurring within (1-3) days of admission. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Tear gas canisters have the potential to cause lethal penetrating head injuries, calling for a re-evaluation of their safety and methods of use in terms of human health.<br><br>Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1878-8750",
doi="10.1016/j.wneu.2020.02.050",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2020.02.050"
}