How Did Six Nails End Up in a Construction Worker's Skull?

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A construction worker, Isidro Mejia, survived a severe industrial accident in 2004 where six nails were embedded in his skull due to a nail gun malfunction. X-rays revealed the nails penetrated critical areas of his brain, including Wernicke's area, affecting his speech. Concerns were raised about potential long-term effects, such as seizures and personality changes, due to the nails reaching the limbic system. The discussion also touched on the use of MRI technology for removing metal objects from the body, referencing a historical case involving Phineas Gage, whose personality changed drastically after a similar brain injury. The conversation highlighted the risks of surgical errors, such as leaving instruments inside patients, and included anecdotes about mobile imaging experiences.
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Six nails embedded in the skull of construction worker Isidro Mejia, 39, after an industrial incident caused a nail gun to shoot nails into his head and brain on April 19, 2004, are seen in this X-ray image from Providence Holy Cross Hospital in Los Angeles [continued]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20040505/capt.la10205051748.nailed_skull_la102.jpg


http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/040505/480/la10205051748&e=1&ncid=1756
 
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Hey! We did mobile CT at Holy Cross, Ivan! Remember??
I thought CNN had a decent lateral view (xray) of this incident.

http://edition.cnn.com/2004/US/West/05/05/nailed.skull.ap/

They could have got those nails out real easy by throwing him into an MR scanner! :biggrin: :biggrin: :eek:
 
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There are some contraversial pictures in British tabloids about medical staff leaving instruments in patients, including a pair of scissors in one woman.
 
I heard about the woman with the scissors; she complained about the pain but her complaints were dismissed.

I wonder if this guy can now hear radio stations in his head?

They could have got those nails out real easy by throwing him into an MR scanner!

When Tsu and I both worked in mobile imaging, some WWI vet entered a mobile MRI unit and had the 1918 vintage pins removed from his leg by the 1.0+ Tesla field, of the 1981 vintage NMR - now called MRI. Apparently the stainless was of such low quality that it was significantly ferromagnetic.
 
Ouch

On Ripley's museum I saw this metal pole penetrate a guy's skull and he miraculously survived.
 
The_Professional said:
On Ripley's museum I saw this metal pole penetrate a guy's skull and he miraculously survived.

Woah, that's a little harsh to show people! I bet he doesn't do many repeat performances :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
 
The_Professional said:
Ouch

On Ripley's museum I saw this metal pole penetrate a guy's skull and he miraculously survived.

It sounds like you may be referring to the story of Phineas Gage. He was a railway worker that was standing over an accidental explosion that sent a tamping iron through his skull in 1848. This incident had a huge influence of the birth of biopsychology because Gage's personailty was drastically different after the accident.

Here's a good place for info: http://www.deakin.edu.au/hbs/GAGEPAGE/index.htm
 
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Ivan Seeking said:
Apparently the stainless was of such low quality that it was significantly ferromagnetic.
Magnetic stainless isn't low quality, it's just a particular kind of stainless. Very common, too. Most of your silverware is probably magnetic stainless. I love stainless steel.

Anyway. It says in the article Tsunami linked to that one of the nails got his Wernicke's area, and now his speech is affected. What bothers me is it looks like the same nail went in all the way to his limbic system. I can't imagine this poor guy isn't going to start having seizures eventually, and possibly personality alterations, since the limic system is where emotions are orchestrated. That was really quite an awkward, ugly accident, that he fell on a guy holding a nail gun.
 
Jenn_ucsb said:
It sounds like you may be referring to the story of Phineas Gage. He was a railway worker that was standing over an accidental explosion that sent a tamping iron through his skull in 1848. This incident had a huge influence of the birth of biopsychology because Gage's personailty was drastically different after the accident.

Here's a good place for info: http://www.deakin.edu.au/hbs/GAGEPAGE/index.htm

Yes, the name rings a bell; that must be him. Thanks Jenn
 
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  • #10
Geez... That many nails. Its a good thing he didn't die.
 
  • #11
It reminds me of surgeons who unintentionally forgets surgical instruments while operating on their patients. Double ouch.
 
  • #12
Ivan Seeking said:
When Tsu and I both worked in mobile imaging, some WWI vet entered a mobile MRI unit and had the 1918 vintage pins removed from his leg by the 1.0+ Tesla field, of the 1981 vintage NMR - now called MRI. Apparently the stainless was of such low quality that it was significantly ferromagnetic.

It yanked them out through the skin? Wow! :eek:
 

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