Penetrating injuries account for 10% to 20% of all pediatric trauma admissions at most centers. Gunshot wounds are responsible for the overwhelming majority of penetrating traumatic injuries and have a significantly higher mortality rate than do blunt injury mechanisms. The management of penetrating injuries can be quite challenging and often requires rapid assessment and intervention. Specific...

Most ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are congenital. Acquired VSDs are generally due to myocardial infarction. An unusual case of VSD from penetrating trauma is described. In this case, the lack of a hemopericardium at presentation led the treatment team not to pursue cardiac pathology. Once the patient developed heart failure, the diagnosis of a VSD was made. Patients with penetrating chest ...

Eyelid or periocular wounds may be the only initial sign of occult, penetrating intracranial trauma. As in this case, the failure to recognize the injury may contribute to serious and potentially life-threatening complications. The discussion emphasizes that a high degree of suspicion and knowledge of patterns of occult penetrating orbito-cranial injury may help direct appropriate radiological ...

Penetrating neck wounds are potentially dangerous and require emergency management because of the presence of vital structures in the neck. Organic foreign bodies further carries a risk of wound infection. We present a case of penetrating broken branch of a tree traversing from zone II to zone III without any neurovascular injury. Neck exploration was done with midline mandibulotomy approach an...

Thigh subcutaneous emphysema is an usual orthopaedic presentation normally associated with musculoskeletal problems or penetrating wounds. But, sometimes it can be related to abdominal pathology. We present a case of subcutaneous emphysema of the thigh secondary to para-caecal abscess.