Q: The patient sustained a gun shot wound to the eye which penetrated the skull base and lodged in the parietal area of the brain. It was noted that there was brain tissue extruding from the wound. What is the best way to code the head injuries?

A: There are two correct codes — 150206.4 for the complex basilar skull fracture and 140690.5 for the penetrating injury to the cerebrum.

In AIS 2005 the codes would be the same for the base fracture and 140692.5. Note that in AIS 2005 the code for penetrating injury to the cerebrum has a lower severity of 3 if the depth of teh injury is not known.