Seizures Can Occur Due To Stun Guns

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Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 20 Mar 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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A new case report published in CMAJ indicates that stun guns, under particular conditions, may cause cerebral complications such as seizures. http://www.cmaj.ca/press/pg625.pdf.

The investigation of an incident involving a police officer suggests that seizures may happen and should be considered as an undesirable consequence of the use of these devices. The officer, a healthy man in his 30's, was hit by error by a teaser gun with two barbs in the upper back and head.

After the hit, the policeman collapsed and was unconscious without breathing and in convulsion (eyes rolled upward, foaming at the mouth, arms and legs jerking) during about one minute. Then he was confused for various minutes. Dr. Richard Wennberg and his team, Toronto Western Hospital and University of Toronto, say that these symptoms "differentiate the episode from the usual transient incapacitation induced by teasers."

After a neurologic evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome. These complications are linked to the head impact caused by the teaser gun, or the fall to the ground during the seizure.

"Until now, most reports of teaser-related adverse events have understandably concentrated on cardiac complications associated with shots to the chest," say the authors. "Our report shows that a teaser shot to the head may result in brain-specific complications."

Written by Stephanie Brunner (B.A.)

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