Broken Pencil Points as a Cause of Brain Abscess

Frederick A. Horner, Richard G. Berry, Marthella J. Frantz

New England Journal of Medicine · 1964 · 29 citations · 0 references

Concepts

Abstract

THE ordinary lead pencil has long been regarded by physicians and concerned parents as a potential danger to the child. Injuries to the eye, the face and the oral cavity frequently result when children fall while holding a pencil or when they innocently protrude it into the tissues. Such an injury is usually apparent immediately, and medical care is quickly obtained. A different and surprising series of events after pencil-point injuries to the cranial vault has recently come to our attention and is considered worth recording.Case ReportsCase 1. A 4-year-old boy (007497) was admitted to the University of . . .