Turkish Neurosurgery
2025 , Vol 35 , Num 5
1Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Türkiye
DOI :
10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.47425-24.2
Penetrating brain injuries are usually the result of high-velocity accidents. However, intracranial foreign bodies can also rarely occur
as a result of child abuse. Inserting a sewing needle into the brain through the sutures before the closure of fontanelles represents a
particularly intriguing and relatively unknown form of attempted infanticide. In this study, we analyzed two adults who presented with
an intracranial foreign body. Case 1: A 36-year-old woman presented with complaints of headache. Radiographic evaluation revealed
a sewing needle lodged in her brain. Case 2: A 62-year-old man was admitted with seizures. Radiographic examination revealed
three sewing needles in his brain. Both patients were managed conservatively due to the non-threatening nature of their symptoms.
Several victims of needle insertion incidents go unreported. Survivors of such incidents may present with late complications. The
needle is often incidentally detected during adulthood. A limited number of publications indicate that authors tend to refrain from
treating asymptomatic patients. Furthermore, the related ethical concerns pose significant challenges for the physicians.
Keywords :
Infanticide, Sewing needle, Intracranial, Foreign body, Adulthood
Corresponding author : Ozan HASIMOGLU, ozanhasim@hotmail.com