Computer tomographic classification of cranial bullet wounds

Twenty-four patients following head bullet injuries analyzed by CT. The major part, concerning 10 patients, refers to acute perforating lesions. Five cases showed penetrating injuries, 3 cases bolt injuries, the other ones lesions of the facial skull and residues of former bullet injuries. Because of a temporary cavitation the bullet track is wider than the bullet itself. The position of the skull fragments gives a hint to the shot direction. A reconstruction of intracranial bullet movements and spontaneous bullet dislocations is made possible by CT. It further shows secondary posttraumatic lesions. (orig.)