Outcome and rational management of civilian gunshot injuries to the brain-retrospective analysis of patients treated at the Helsinki University Hospital from 2000 to 2012.

GSWB caused by contact shot from handguns has a high mortality rate, but can be survived with reasonable outcome if limited to lobar injury without significant damage to deep brain structures or brain stem. In such GSWB patients, initial aggressive resuscitation, ICU admission, and surgery seem indicated.