Air Bag Deployment With an Aftermarket Steering Wheel Decoration Resulting in a Penetrating Intracranial Injury

We present a rare case of penetrating brain injury caused by an aftermarket steering wheel decoration during air bag deployment. A female driver was involved in a collision during which the driver's air bag deployed, propelling a crescent-shaped, sequin-covered decorative object into her face. The object penetrated the right globe and orbital roof, lodging in the right frontal lobe of her brain. Imaging confirmed the presence of an intracranial foreign body without vascular injury. The patient underwent successful globe repair and craniotomy for foreign body removal. She remained neurologically intact postoperatively with preserved light perception in the injured eye. This case highlights a rare but serious risk associated with steering wheel decorative objects and highlights the need for greater public education and consideration of regulatory measures to prevent similar injuries in the future.