Civilian Firearm-Inflicted Brain Injury: Coagulopathy, Vascular Injuries, and Triage.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Civilian firearm-inflicted penetrating brain injury (PBI) carries high morbidity and mortality. Concurrently, the evidence base guiding management decisions remains limited. Faced with large volume of PBI patients, we have made observations in relation to coagulopathy and cerebrovascular injuries. We here review this literature in addition to the question about early prognostication as it may inform neurosurgical decision-making. RECENT FINDINGS: The triad of coagulopathy, low motor score, and radiographic compression of basal cisterns comprises a phenotype of injury with exceedingly high mortality. PBI leads to high rates of cerebral arterial and venous injuries, and projectile trajectory is emerging as an independent predictor of outcome. The combination of coagulopathy with cerebrovascular injury creates a specific endophenotype. The nature and role of coagulopathy remain to be deciphered, and consideration to the use of tranexamic acid should be given. Prospective controlled trials are needed to create clinical evidence free of patient selection bias.

Cerebrovascular Complications in Early Survivors of Civilian Penetrating Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: This study investigates the presence of cerebrovascular injuries in a large sample of civilian penetrating brain injury (PBI) patients, determining the prevalence, radiographic characteristics, and impact on short-term outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with PBI admitted to our institution over a 2-year period. Computed tomography head scans, computer tomography angiograms and venograms of the intracranial vessels were evaluated to determine the wound trajectory, intracranial injury characteristics, and presence of arterial (AI) and venous sinus (VSI) injuries. Demographics, clinical presentation, and treatment were also reviewed. Discharge disposition was used as surrogate of short-term outcome. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were included in the study. The mechanism of injury was gunshot wounds in 71 patients and stab wound in one. Forty-one of the 72 patients (60%) had at least one vascular injury. Twenty-six out of 72 patients suffered an AI (36%), mostly pseudoaneurysms and occlusions, involving the anterior and middle cerebral arteries. Of the 72 patients included, 45 had dedicated computed tomography venograms, and of those 22 had VSI (49%), mainly manifesting as superior sagittal sinus occlusion. In a multivariable regression model, intraventricular hemorrhage at presentation was associated with AI (OR 9.9, p = 0.004). The same was not true for VSI. CONCLUSION: Acute traumatic cerebrovascular injury is a prevalent complication in civilian PBI, frequently involving both the arterial and venous sinus systems. Although some radiographic features might be associated with presence of vascular injury, assessment of the intracranial vasculature in the acute phase of all PBI is essential for early diagnosis. Treatment of vascular injury remains variable depending on local practice.

Penetrating head & neck trauma - Epidemiology and injury characteristics in terror-related violence, interpersonal violence and deliberate self-harm at a level 1 trauma centre.

INTRODUCTION: Penetrating trauma to the head and neck presents specific clinical challenges. Aetiologies include interpersonal violence, deliberate self-harm and terror-related violence. King's College Hospital is a Major Trauma Centre serving inner-city London boroughs with a high incidence of knife and gun crime. It also received victims of the terrorist attack at London Bridge in June 2017. METHODS: Data was collected prospectively on all patients presenting with penetrating trauma to the head and neck over a one-year period (August 2016-July 2017). RESULTS: Overall figures for penetrating trauma are the highest since comparable records began with 478 cases (2016/17) compared with 172 (2010/11). Most patients had injuries resulting from interpersonal violence (83%); a group consisting mostly in males (88%) under the age of 30 (69%). The sole fatality among all patients was a result of repeat deliberate self-harm. Terror-related violence victims were equally gender split and older; all patients in this group required surgical intervention and had longer lengths of stay (16.3 days) compared with interpersonal violence (6.3 days) and deliberate self-harm (3 days). CONCLUSION: Violent crime is increasing. Overall penetrating injury has more than doubled in 6 years. The injury characteristics observed are distinct depending on the assailants and motives. Head and neck trauma requires a multidisciplinary approach, with an understanding of the care needs of patients. Interpersonal violence is the most common aetiology and as such efforts to tackle rising violent crime must involve police and the community. In addition, terror-related violence is evolving in the United Kingdom and globally, and as such healthcare professionals must understand differences in aetiologies to promote optimal patient care.

Penetrating head injuries in children presenting to the emergency department in Australia and New Zealand: A PREDICT prospective study.

AIM: Penetrating head injuries (pHIs) are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Data on pHIs in children outside North America are limited. We describe the mechanism of injuries, neuroimaging findings, neurosurgery and mortality for pHIs in Australia and New Zealand. METHODS: This was a planned secondary analysis of a prospective observational study of children <18 years who presented with a head injury of any severity at any of 10 predominantly paediatric Australian/New Zealand emergency departments (EDs) between 2011 and 2014. We reviewed all cases where clinicians had clinically suspected pHI as well as all cases of clinically important traumatic brain injuries (death, neurosurgery, intubation >24 h, admission >2 days and abnormal computed tomography). RESULTS: Of 20 137 evaluable patients with a head injury, 21 (0.1%) were identified to have sustained a pHI. All injuries were of non-intentional nature, and there were no gunshot wounds. The mechanisms of injuries varied from falls, animal attack, motor vehicle crashes and impact with objects. Mean Glasgow Coma Scale on ED arrival was 10; 10 (48%) had a history of loss of consciousness, and 7 (33%) children were intubated pre-hospital or in the ED. Fourteen (67%) children underwent neurosurgery, two (10%) craniofacial surgery, and five (24%) were treated conservatively; four (19%) patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric pHIs are very rare in EDs in Australia and New Zealand but are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The absence of firearm-related injuries compared to North America is striking and may reflect Australian and New Zealand firearm regulations.

A study on shotgun injuries to the craniomaxillofacial Region in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Center.

CONTEXT: Short-range shotgun wounds of the craniomaxillofacial region are life-threatening and are as devastating as military rifle wounds. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the pattern of presentation of craniomaxillofacial shotgun injuries, types of shotgun injuries, and the outcome of treatments in our environment. SETTING AND DESIGN: This is a prospective observational study. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted from February 2006 to March 2012. All patients with shotgun wounds to the craniomaxillofacial region were included in the study by convenient sampling method. Glezer's shotgun classification scheme was used to categorize the patients into short-, intermediate-, and long-range shotgun wounds. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 16. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the data. Mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for all quantitative variables such as age. Frequency and percentages were presented for qualitative variables. RESULTS: A total number of 28 patients were seen. Ages ranged from 19 to 64 years with a mean (±SD) of 32.7 (±11.4) years. The two most commonly used shotguns were locally made pistol (25, 42.9%) and the cut-size gun (10, 35.7%) and the least commonly used was Dane gun (1, 3.6%). Close-range injury to the face was 17 (60.7%) while that of intermediate- and long-range injuries were 6 (21.1%) and 5 (17.9%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Wounds sustained from close-range shotguns to the face were the most common in this environment. The outcome of treatment was satisfactory when treated with conservative debridement and early reconstruction.

A review of penetrating brain trauma: epidemiology, pathophysiology, imaging assessment, complications, and treatment.

Gunshot injuries are the most common cause of penetrating brain injury (PBI) and carry a high morbidity and mortality. The incidence of PBI has increased over the last decade with an estimated 35,000 civilian deaths annually. Patients that survive to reach the hospital require rapid triage and imaging evaluation. CT findings in conjunction with the Glasgow Coma Scale are typically used to determine which patients are surgical candidates. Radiologists should be familiar with the various injury patterns and imaging findings which are poor prognostic indicators, notably brainstem, bilateral hemispheric, multilobar, or transventricular injuries. Post-traumatic complications, including intracranial infections, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, traumatic intracranial aneurysms, intraventricular hemorrhage, dural venous sinus thrombus, and bullet fragment migration, also have specific imaging features and serious treatment implications. In this article, we review the initial imaging evaluation of penetrating brain injury using computed tomography with and without angiography. We also describe the imaging features of various post-traumatic complications and their treatment implications. Finally, we discuss the clinical and imaging parameters that serve as important prognostic indicators and the surgical management.

[HIGH VELOCITY PENETRATING HEAD AND NECK INJURIES OF SYRIAN CIVIL WAR CASUALTIES TREATED IN THE GALILEE MEDICAL CENTER].

INTRODUCTION: For two years the State of Israel has been treating casualties from the Syrian civil war. The Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya is the main hospital for this humanitarian mission. Objectives: To evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of the casualties that were treated in our department. METHODS: Information from medical records of all Syrian casualties evacuated to the Galilee Medical Center were evaluated. RESULTS: Between March 2013 and December 2014, 450 casualties were evacuated to the Galilee Medical Center. Of those, 45 were treated in the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Of the 45 cases, 43 were male (95.5%) and the mean age was 30.4 years (range 1-79 years). There was a significant difference in terms of gender (p <0.0001). The majority of cases (42.1%) were aged 21-27 years. The most common cause of injury was a gunshot wound. Thirty five patients (77.7%) suffered from multiple trauma, and complex injuries of the maxillofacial bones and upper respiratory tract. Eight (18%) of the cases arrived at the medical center with a tracheotomy. The average length of hospital stay was 15 days (range: 1-141). Of the 450 cases, 97.3% were discharged back to Syria, and 12 died. CONCLUSIONS: Of all Syrian injured treated in the ENT department, the vast majority were young men. The main cause of injury was gunshot wounds. DISCUSSION: It is likely that the lack of protective gear that exist in western armies is a factor in the complex injuries treated at the Galilee Medical Center.

[Treatment methods of atypical gunshot wounds to the head--case reports]. / Sposoby leczenia nietypowych obrazen postrzalowych glowy--opisy przypadków.

Due to a high mortality rate, headshot injuries pose serious diagnostic and clinical problems. In this work, we wanted to describe four atypical headshot injuries. The first patient with a headshot injury using a nail gun mishap; the second one after a headshot injury, as a result of attempted murder (the bullet came to a parasagittal halt in the left parietal area); the third victim, after a suicide attempt (the bullet was removed from clivus area, below the pituitary gland); in the case of the fourth patient, after shooting himself with a self-constructed weapon in the chin, the metal body was surgically removed - a bearing pellet from the corpus callosum. Males dominate among victims of headshot injuries. Alcohol is one of the elements that facilitate suicidal behaviour. Anti-spasm, antibacterial, anti-tetanus prophylaxes are incredibly important. In some cases, the metallic body does not have to be removed from the brain. Pulmonary embolism can be a cause of death after 7 days from injury.

Nail gun injuries: not just an occupational hazard.

INTRODUCTION: Nail guns are commonly used in the construction industry. They represent an occupational hazard, and in the context of mental illness can pose a threat to life. AIM: To determine the number of patients admitted to Auckland City Hospital (ACH) with a nail gun injury, and to review the current New Zealand legislation surrounding nail guns. METHODS: A 25-year retrospective review of patients admitted to ACH with a nail gun injury was performed by searching the ACH Trauma Registry. New Zealand legislation was reviewed. RESULTS: Between 1994 and 2019, 45 patients were admitted to ACH with a nail gun injury. Two subgroups were identified: 31% with an intentional injury; 69% with an unintentional injury. All patients were male. The mean age was 36.3. Patients with an intentional injury had a higher mortality rate (21.4% vs 9.5%), Injury Severity Scores (24.2 vs 3.4) and ICU admission rate (50% vs 3%) and required more intensive post-injury care when compared to unintentional injuries. There is currently no legislation in New Zealand specifically governing the use of nail guns. Only powder-actuated nail guns require certification. CONCLUSION: The continued occurrence of unintentional nail gun injuries and the high lethality of intentional injuries represent two distinct areas of concern. The Government should publish guidance aimed at improving safety and reducing the rate of intentional injury.

Coagulopathy as a Surrogate of Severity of Injury in Penetrating Brain Injury.

Penetrating brain injury (PBI) is the most devastating type of traumatic brain injury. Development of coagulopathy in the acute setting of PBI, though common, remains of unclear significance as does its reversal. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between coagulopathy and clinical presentation, radiographical features, and outcome in civilian patients with PBI. Eighty-nine adult patients with PBI at a Level I trauma center in Chicago, Illinois who survived acute resuscitation and with available coagulation profile were analyzed. Coagulopathy was defined as international normalized ratio [INR] >1.3, platelet count <100,000 /µL, or partial thromboplastin time >37 sec. Median age (interquartile range; IQR) of our cohort was 27 (21-35) years, and 74 (83%) were male. The intent was assault in 74 cases (83%). The mechanism of PBI was gunshot wound in all patients. Forty patients (45%) were coagulopathic at presentation. In a multiple regression model, coagulopathy was associated with lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)-Motor score (odds ratio [OR], 0.67; confidence interval [CI], 0.48-0.94; p = 0.02) and transfusion of blood products (OR, 3.91; CI, 1.2-12.5; p = 0.02). Effacement of basal cisterns was the only significant radiographical features associated with coagulopathy (OR, 3.34; CI, 1.08-10.37; p = 0.04). Mortality was found to be significantly more common in coagulopathic patients (73% vs. 25%; p < 0.001). However, in our limited sample, reversal of coagulopathy at 24 h was not associated with a statistically significant improvement in outcome. The triad of coagulopathy, low post-resuscitation GCS, and radiographical effacement of basal cisterns identify a particularly ominous phenotype of PBI. The role, and potential reversal of, coagulopathy in this group warrants further investigation.

Neuroendocrine Dysfunction in the Acute Setting of Penetrating Brain Injury: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Data on neuroendocrine dysfunction (NED) in the acute setting of penetrating brain injury (PBI) are scarce, and the clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment remains extrapolated from the literature on blunt head trauma. METHODS: Three databases were searched (PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane). Risk of bias was computed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, or the methodological quality of case series and case reports, as indicated. This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (42020172163). RESULTS: Six relevant studies involving 58 patients with PBI were included. Two studies were prospective cohort analyses, whereas 4 were case reports. The onset of NED was acute in all studies, by the first postinjury day. Risk factors for NED included worse injury severity and the presence of cerebral edema on imaging. Dysfunction of the anterior hypophysis involved the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, treated with hormonal replacement, and hypocortisolism, treated with hydrocortisone. The prevalence of central diabetes insipidus was up to 41%. Most patients showed persistent NED months after injury. In separate reports, diabetes insipidus and hypocortisolism showed an association with higher mortality. The available literature for this review is poor, and the studies included had overall low quality with high risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: NED seems to be prevalent in the acute phase of PBI, equally involving both anterior and posterior hypophysis. Despite a potential association between NED and mortality, data on the optimal management of NED are limited. This situation defines the need for prospective studies to better characterize the clinical features and optimal therapeutic interventions for NED in PBI.

Traumatic Cerebrovascular Injuries Associated with Gunshot Wounds to the Head: A Single-Institution Ten-Year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular injury (CVI) is a potentially devastating complication of gunshot wounds to the head (GSWH), with yet unclear incidence and prognostic implications. Few studies have also attempted to define CVI risk factors and their role in patient outcomes. We aimed to describe 10 years of CVI from GSWH and characterize these injury patterns. METHODS: Single-institution data from 2009 to 2019 were queried to identify patients presenting with dural-penetrating GSWH. Patient records were reviewed for GSWH characteristics, CVI patterns, management, and follow-up. RESULTS: Overall, 63 of 297 patients with GSWH underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) with 44.4% showing CVI. The middle cerebral artery (22.2%), dural venous sinuses (15.9%), and internal carotid artery (14.3%) were most frequently injured. Arterial occlusion was the most prominent injury type (22.2%) followed by sinus thrombosis (15.9%). One fifth of patients underwent delayed repeat CTA, with 20.1% showing new/previously unrecognized CVI. Bihemispheric bullet tracts were associated with CVI occurrence (P = 0.001) and mortality (P = 0.034). Dissection injuries (P = 0.013), injuries to the vertebrobasilar system (P = 0.036), or the presence of ≥2 concurrent CVIs (P = 0.024) were associated with increased risk of mortality. Of patients with CVI on initial CTA, 30% died within the first 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: CVI was found in 44.4% of patients who underwent CTA. Dissection and vertebrobasilar injuries are associated with the highest mortality. CTA should be considered in any potentially survivable GSWH. Longitudinal study with consistent CTA use is necessary to determine the true prevalence of CVI and optimize the use of imaging modalities.

Military traumatic brain and spinal column injury: a 5-year study of the impact blast and other military grade weaponry on the central nervous system.

BACKGROUND: During the past 5 years of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), a significant majority of the severe closed and penetrating head trauma has presented for definitive care at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in Bethesda, MD, and at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington, DC. The purpose of this article is to review our experience with this population of patients. MATERIALS: A retrospective review of all inpatient admissions from OIF was performed during a 5-year period (April 2003 to April 2008). Criteria for inclusion in this study included either a closed or penetrating head trauma suffered during combat operations in Iraq who subsequently received a neurosurgical evaluation at NNMC or WRAMC. Exclusion criteria included all patients for whom primary demographic data could not be verified. Primary outcome data included the type and mechanism of injury, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and injury severity score at admission, and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) at discharge, 6 months, and 1 to 2 years. RESULTS: Five hundred thirteen consultations were performed by the neurosurgery service on the aforementioned population. Four hundred eight patients met the inclusion criteria for this study (401:7, male: female; 228 penetrating brain injury, 139 closed head injury, 41 not specified). Explosive blast injury (229 patients; 56%) constituted the predominant mechanism of injury. The rates of pulmonary embolism (7%), cerebrospinal fluid leak (8.6%), meningitis (9.1%), spinal cord or column injury (9.8%), and cerebrovascular injury (27%) were characterized. Cerebrospinal fluid leak, vasospasm, penetrating head injury, and lower presenting GCS were statistically associated with longer intensive care unit stays and higher presenting injury severity scores (p < 0.05). While presenting GCS 3-5 correlated with worsened short-term and long-term GOS scores (p < 0.001), almost half of these patients achieved GOS >or=3 at 1- to 2-year follow-up. Total mortality after reaching NNMC/WRAMC was 4.4%. CONCLUSIONS: OIF has resulted in the highest concentration of severe closed and penetrating head trauma to return to NNMC and WRAMC since the Vietnam Conflict. Management scenarios were complex, incorporating principles designed to maximize outcomes in all body systems. Meaningful survival can potentially be achieved in a subset of patients with presenting GCS

Trends in civilian penetrating brain injury: A review of 26,871 patients.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study is to analyze the 5 years' trends, mortality rate, and factors that influence mortality after civilian penetrating traumatic brain injury (pTBI). METHODS: We performed a 5-year-analysis of all trauma patients diagnosed with pTBI in the TQIP. Our outcome measures were trends of pTBI. RESULTS: A total of 26,871 had penetrating brain injury over the 5-year period. Mean age was 36.2 ±â€¯18 years. Overall 55% of the patients had severe TBI and mortality rate was 43.8%. There was an increase in the rate of pTBI from 3042/100,000 (2010) to 7578/100,000 trauma admissions (2014) (p < 0.001). The mortality rate has increased from 35% (2010) to 48% (2011) (p < 0.001) followed by a linear decrease in mortality to 40% (2014). Independent predictors of mortality were age, pre-hospital intubation, suicide attempt, and craniotomy/craniectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence and mortality for patients who are brought to hospitals following pTBI have gradually increased over the five-year period. Self-inflicted injury and prehospital intubation were the two most significant predictors of mortality.

Social and racial correlates of Russian roulette.

The epidemiology of a neglected form of suicidal behavior, Russian roulette, is addressed. Also tested is an explanation of racial differences based on the opportunity theory of deviant behavior related to the availability of revolvers, necessary weapons with which to play Russian roulette. Data refer to 15 cases of Russian roulette found through a search of the medical examiner's suicide files (N = 1,412) and 75 matched controls who suicided by a gunshot to the head. The results support an opportunity perspective: 80% of the Russian roulette victims were African American compared to 30.7% of the controls. Further, among the controls, Blacks were three times more likely than Whites to use revolvers in suicides, a pattern indicating Blacks' greater access to revolvers. Russian roulette victims were entirely male, significantly younger, and less apt to be married than the control group.

Severe and penetrating traumatic brain injury in the context of war.

Our data suggests that traumatic brain injury (TBI) may account for up to one third of battle-related injuries in today's war. Although the majority of these injuries are classified as mild in severity, service members with severe or penetrating TBI can be faced with many challenges. Injuries sustained on the battlefield require a slightly different approach than the TBI care that is traditionally seen in a civilian setting. This article presents the range of care that occurs beginning on the battlefield and continuing to state-of-the-art rehabilitation within the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs Polytrauma System of Care.

[Traumatic penetrating brain injury].

Penetrating brain injury is a severe form of traumatic brain injury. It is significantly less prevalent than closed head injury but carries a much worse prognosis. The experience with traumatic penetrating brain injury in Denmark is limited. The most common causes in penetrating brain injury in Denmark are: violence, accidents and suicidal behaviour. The aim of this review is to give a brief update on historical background, mechanisms of disease, recommended medical and surgical treatment, and complications. Clinical examples and a treatment algorithm are discussed.

Perioperative Care for Pediatric Patients With Penetrating Brain Injury: A Review.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) continues to be the leading cause of death and acquired disability in young children and adolescents, due to blunt or penetrating trauma, the latter being less common but more lethal. Penetrating brain injury (PBI) has not been studied extensively, mainly reported as case reports or case series, due to the assumption that both types of brain injury have common pathophysiology and consequently common management. However, recommendations and guidelines for the management of PBI differ from those of blunt TBI in regards to neuroimaging, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring, and surgical management including those pertaining to vascular injury. PBI was one of the exclusion criteria in the second edition of guidelines for the acute medical management of severe TBI in infants, children, and adolescents that was published in 2012 (it is referred to as "pediatric guidelines" in this review). Many reviews of TBI do not differentiate between the mechanisms of injury. We present an overview of PBI, its presenting features, epidemiology, and causes as well as an analysis of case series and the conclusions that may be drawn from those and other studies. More clinical trials specific to penetrating head injuries in children, focusing mainly on pathophysiology and management, are needed. The term PBI is specific to penetrating injury only, whereas TBI, a more inclusive term, describes mainly, but not only, blunt injury.

Pediatric Nonmissile Penetrating Head Injury: Case Series and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric nonmissile penetrating head injury (NMPHI) is usually accidental attributed mainly to the softer skulls of growing children. However, it is a rare entity, and therefore no consensus exists regarding treatment to effectively prevent immediate and long-term complications. Throughout the literature, these injuries are mostly discussed in case reviews and case series in the general population. No data originating from randomized studies are available because of ethical and practical limitations. METHODS: We retrospectively studied and present 5 cases of children with NMPHI treated in the last 6 years in the Neurosurgery Department of Children's Hospital "Aghia Sofia". We performed a review of the literature in PubMed, using the key words "non-missile," "penetrating head injury," and "pediatric." We included case reports and case series involving pediatric cases since 2008 and selected older reports as well as certain literature reviews focusing on analysis of complications and treatment suggestions. We compared reported practice in various institutions with suggestions from the literature. RESULTS: In the last year, 4 literature reviews were published suggesting treatment algorithms of NMPHIs. Surgery timing and method as well as anticonvulsant and antibiotic therapy still remain debatable. The only review concentrating on pediatric populations dates back to 1994, based on patient outcome studies from the 1980s. In our review, treatment steps were similar among various institutions and resembled recently suggested algorithms, with better treatment outcomes than originally reported 30 years ago.

Traumatic Brain Injury Caused by Missile Wounds in the North of Palestine: A Single Institution's Experience with 520 Consecutive Civilian Patients.

BACKGROUND: Literature about traumatic brain injury caused by missile wounds is scanty. We shed some light on this field. METHODS: This retrospective study was carried out, between September 2000 and September 2010, on 520 civilian patients who sustained traumatic brain injury from missiles in the north of Palestine. Thorough detailed analyses were made of patients' admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, pupillary reactivity to light, site and mode of injuries, type of injurious agents, missile trajectory, method of treatment, radiologic manifestations, complications, and outcome. The GCS score was used to assess the level of consciousness, whereas the Glasgow Outcome Scale score was used to evaluate the outcome. RESULTS: Patients' age ranged from 6 months to 75 years. Only 50 (9.6%) patients were female. Patients injured by metallic bullets, rubber bullets, and shrapnel from bomb explosions numbered 351, 139, and 30, respectively. Of 384 patients who were treated conservatively, no mortality was detected, whereas of 136 surgically treated patients, 66 (48.5%) died of their injuries. Although our management of patients was not optimal because of many factors, the overall mortality was 12.7% (n = 66). CONCLUSIONS: The promptness of transport to hospital was a decisive factor with a major bearing on decreasing mortality. Brain computed tomography was invaluable in the diagnosis and follow-up of our patients. In addition, age, pupillary reactivity, admission GCS score, missile trajectory, ventricular involvement, and site and mode of injury were important prognostic factors.