Intracerebral hematoma due to the tangential gunshot injury without skull fracture: case report

Abstract

Tangential gunshot injury is charecterized by a non-penetrating bullet injury to the skull. The kinetic energy of the bullet is transmitted to the brain associated with or without an injury of the skull in these type of injuries. In the present case, we state an intracerebral hematoma with an initial normal neurological examination and a skull X-ray caused by tangential gunshot injury diagnosed by computerized tomography (CT) obtained due the delayed altered mental status and left hemiparesia. The aim of this case report is to emphasize the importance of early CT in tangential gunshot injuries because of the possible delayed clinical signs of brain injury despite an initial normal neurological status and skull graphy.