Penetrating craniocerebral injuries in civilians.

During a 6-year period (1984-89), 31 patients were treated at Rambam Medical Center with penetrating craniocerebral injuries (PCCI) not associated with military action. Eighteen (58%) patients died during their initial hospitalization; only two of them had admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) above five. The admission GCS coupled with the mode of injury (type of missile and motivation of shooting) were valuable for early accurate prognosis assessment. Patients with admission GCS of 3 and 4 invariably died despite rapid treatment and attempted haematoma evacuation. The neurological status, CT appearance, as well as the motivation of shooting should be considered in order to assess accurately the possible outcome. Compared with our military series of 113 patients with PCCI, there were more extensive injuries, although the mean period until neurosurgical treatment was the same. Long-term complications connected to dural tears remote from the entrance wound occurred in three of the survivors.