Cases Journal


Open Access Case Report

Intracranial halo pin penetration causing brain injury secondary to poor halo care technique: a case report and literature review

Kishore R Male*, Abhijit Guha, Stuart James and Sashin Ahuja

Author Affiliations

University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, CF64 2HR, U.K.

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Cases Journal 2008, 1:380 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-1-380

Published: 9 December 2008

Abstract

This is a case report of intra cranial penetration by halo pins resulting in cerebritis and fits secondary to incorrect halo care by the patient and his family. Halo pin penetration into the skull with brain injury is itself a rare incident. Previously documented case reports were in patients with a previous cranioplasties and they were highlight the fact that halo not to be used in cranioplasty patients. Cranial penetration of the halo pins has generally been secondary to a fall/medical condition as epilepsy. This incident how ever highlights the fact the halo care itself along with proper techniques used for tightening the halo pins by the carer plays a crucial role in preventing complications such as this.