Gunshots to the Head and resulting Brain Injury

Missile penetration injuries to the brain are usually the result of gunshot wounds; increasingly as a result of the Iraq war and Afghan wars an increasing number of brain injuries have been the result of head penetrating wounds via IEDs (Improvised explosive devices) in the warzone. In many other cases persons are shot  in the head accidentally or in hunting accidents In most cases of gunshot wounds from high caliber projectile bullets such as .357 magnums or a .40 caliber result in death. In some cases however a victim of a gunshot wound to the head survives the injury but is left to deal with lifelong permanent brain damage and other resulting disabilities. Gunshot wounds to the head are generally classified into four distinct categories. (1) Superficial gunshots injuries to the head – Bullets which are trapped in the dermis are not able to penetrate the skull or cranial vault (2) Tangential wounds – Bullets which graze the head and are not lodged in the skull or dermis Tangential and Superficial wounds from gunshots to the head can still result in serious brain injuries including intracranial lesions, brain hemorrhaging and the lodging of skull fragments into the brain cavity. (3) Penetrating injuries – Bullets which are able to penetrate the skull and enter the cranial cavity and are lodged in the brain. (4) Perforating injuries – Bullets which are able to enter the brain through the skull and exit the te brain cavity leading to both penetrating injuries and exit wound injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a gunshot to the brain seek medical attention as soon as possible. In many instances a person cannot detect or realize the significance of his injuries before it is too late. The sooner you seek medical attention the higher are your chances of recovery from a bullet wound to the head.