Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery
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J Craniomaxillofac Surg · Jun 2009
Case ReportsPenetrating injury of the maxilla by needlefish jaws.
Needlefish penetrating injuries have become a worldwide problem, inflicting critical morbidities and even mortalities. This is the first published case of needlefish injury in the Mediterranean basin. ⋯ Fish inflicted critical facial injuries might be dangerously underestimated prima facie. The impact might be energetic enough to penetrate deep facial and vital cranial structures, hence thorough examination and imaging are recommended. Needlefish species are now common in the tropical and subtropical regions of all oceans and therefore this phenomenon is of interest to worldwide trauma medical providers, fishermen, divers, and also to marine-biologists.