Der Unfallchirurg
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This article reports the case of an 8-year-old boy with a knife stab injury to the lumbar spine without neurological deficits. The computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a longitudinal penetration of the conus medullaris at the level of the first lumbar vertebra. ⋯ In addition, no secondary changes of the neurological status developed. Consequently, in cases of neurologically asymptomatic patients without concomitant injuries the surgical exploration of a stab wound does not seem to be absolutely necessary.