A piece of a skull with a depressed skull fracture
Specialty
Emergency medicine
A skull fracture is a break in one or more of the eight bones that form the cranial portion of the skull, usually occurring as a result of blunt force trauma. If the force of the impact is excessive, the bone may fracture at or near the site of the impact and cause damage to the underlying structures within the skull such as the membranes, blood vessels, and brain.
While an uncomplicated skull fracture can occur without associated physical or neurological damage and is in itself usually not clinically significant, a fracture in healthy bone indicates that a substantial amount of force has been applied and increases the possibility of associated injury. Any significant blow to the head results in a concussion, with or without loss of consciousness.
A fracture in conjunction with an overlying laceration that tears the epidermis and the meninges, or runs through the paranasal sinuses and the middle ear structures, bringing the outside environment into contact with the cranial cavity is called a compound fracture. Compound fractures can either be clean or contaminated.
There are four major types of skull fractures: linear, depressed, diastatic, and basilar. Linear fractures are the most common, and usually require no intervention for the fracture itself. Depressed fractures are usually comminuted, with broken portions of bone displaced inward—and may require surgical intervention to repair underlying tissue damage. Diastatic fractures widen the sutures of the skull and usually affect children under three. Basilar fractures are in the bones at the base of the skull.
A skullfracture is a break in one or more of the eight bones that form the cranial portion of the skull, usually occurring as a result of blunt force...
A basilar skullfracture is a break of a bone in the base of the skull. Symptoms may include bruising behind the ears, bruising around the eyes, or blood...
classically shaped like a pyramid. The Le Fort III fracture (transverse fracture) occurs at the level of the skull base, resulting in complete craniofacial separation...
Ireland as panda eyes) or periorbital ecchymosis is a sign of basal skullfracture or subgaleal hematoma, a craniotomy that ruptured the meninges, or (rarely)...
cavity of the middle ear. Hemotympanum is often the result of basilar skullfracture. Hemotympanum refers to the presence of blood in the middle ear, which...
cause skullfracture, which may or may not be associated with injury to the brain. Some patients may have linear or depressed skullfractures. If intracranial...
likelihood of head or neck injuries, including the often fatal basilar skullfracture, in the event of a crash. There are many such devices on the market...
roots (for spine fractures), or cranial contents (for skullfractures) may cause other specific signs and symptoms. Some fractures may lead to serious...
virtually head on, killing Adam instantly as he developed a basilar skullfracture. He was 19 years old. Petty's death, along with 1998 Winston Cup Rookie...
rather than along the inside of the skull, as occurs in subdural hematomas. Most people also have a skullfracture. Epidural hematomas may occur in combination...
Medical Center a short time later; the cause of death was a basilar skullfracture, which was determined to have killed him instantly. Earnhardt's death...
through the nose (rhinorrhoea). It is typically caused by a basilar skullfracture, which presents complications such as infection. It may be diagnosed...
wielding a hammer broke into his San Francisco home, surviving with a skullfracture. The assailant, David DePape, initially targeting Pelosi's wife, was...
canal. Fracture of an occipital condyle may occur in isolation, or as part of a more extended basilar skullfracture. Isolated condyle fracture is a type...
The Segond fracture is a type of avulsion fracture (soft tissue structures pulling off fragments of their bony attachment) from the lateral tibial plateau...
common cause of recurrent meningitis is a skullfracture, particularly fractures that affect the base of the skull or extend towards the sinuses and petrous...
anemia or hypotension. In some cases it may be an indication of a linear skullfracture or be at risk of an infection leading to osteomyelitis or meningitis...
at 2 hours after injury Suspected open or depressed skullfracture Any sign of basal skullfracture Two or more episodes of vomiting Age 65 or older Amnesia...
in a sudden last-lap crash during the Daytona 500 due to a basilar skullfracture. His death was regarded in the racing industry as being a crucial moment...
suffering a skullfracture leading to seizure and brain trauma. The next day, 1 June 2020, 16-year-old Brad Levi Ayala also suffered a skullfracture after...
The Galeazzi fracture is a fracture of the distal third of the radius with dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint. It classically involves an isolated...
but died from his injuries later the morning after, which included a skullfracture. He was buried the day after on 20 August. The suspect, Andrew Gosling...
to remove shattered bits of bone from a fracturedskull and clean out the blood that often pools under the skull after a blow to the head. Hunting accidents...
cranial operation. If injury is more extensive, potentially even a skullfracture, an apparent black eye can sometimes worsen and may require professional...
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