Transorbital penetrating head injury by a wooden chopstick in the cavernous sinus: a case report and literature review

Penetrating head injury is a relatively rare condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although the immediate treatment of penetrating head injury is needed, surgical strategies are varied based on the trajectory of the penetrating objects in the cranium. We present a case of 24-year-old man who sustained a transorbital penetrating injury caused by a wooden chopstick. Neuroimages revealed a linear lesion extending from the left intraorbital segment to the cavernous sinus passing through the superior orbital fissure. The foreign body was successfully removed via the transcranial approach without complications. A careful management based on the perioperative images and correct diagnosis is necessary to avoid unfavorable complications. Four cases of transorbital penetrating injuries have been previously reported, in which the foreign body penetrated through the superior orbital fissure and lodged in the cavernous sinus. The frontotemporal craniotomy with extradural approach can be a useful option to remove foreign bodies around the cavernous sinus regions.