Post-traumatic infection induced scalp necrosis – An unusual complication

Amandeep Kumar; Sumit Sinha; Ashok Kumar Mahapatra

doi:10.1016/j.ijnt.2012.04.011

Indian Journal of Neurotrauma, Table of Contents

Indian Journal of Neurotrauma 2012; 09(01): 62-63
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnt.2012.04.011

Case report

Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Private Ltd.

Post-traumatic infection induced scalp necrosis – An unusual complication

Amandeep Kumar

^aDepartment of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room Number 720, 7th Floor, Cardioneurosciences Centre, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029 Tel.: +91 9958873574., India Email: aman_jagdevan@yahoo.co.in

,

Sumit Sinha

,

Ashok Kumar Mahapatra

^bDepartment of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room Number 720, 7th Floor, Cardioneurosciences Centre, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029 Tel.: +91 11 26593291, +91 9868398073, India Email: akmahapatra_22000@yahoo.com

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Abstract

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Abstract

Introduction

Scalp wounds usually heal very well and necrosis of scalp is very rare due to its extensive vascularity. We present a case of scalp necrosis as an unusual complication of road traffic injury.

Case report

A 50-year old male with post-traumatic quadriplegia due to C5 fracture dislocation and scalp laceration presented to us. Patient developed scalp necrosis after 5 days. Wound cultures grew Acinetobacter baumanii.

Conclusion

Despite extensive vascularity, post-traumatic wounds with superadded infection can rarely lead to scalp necrosis. Thorough early wound debridement can help in preventing this rare but devastating complication.

Keywords

Post-traumatic - Scalp necrosis - Superficial temporal artery - Thrombosis - Infection

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References

References
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