Impalement injury through the lumbar vertebrae without neurological deficit

ABSTRACT

Impalement injuries are caused by objects that penetrate the human body. In many instances, the impaling object remains imbedded in the body, presenting challenges to emergency personnel, including how to package and transport the patient without causing further injury. Injury by impalement has been described involving all areas of the body including the brain, neck, chest, abdomen and extremities. However, impalement through the spine is exceedingly rare. In this report, and industrial worker is described who was impaled by an aluminium bar which penetrated his abdomen from side to side, injuring the left kidney and passing through the lumber vertebrae without causing neurological deficit