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Skull Fracture

A skull fracture is a break in one or more bones of the skull that usually occurs following blunt trauma. The effect of such force and trauma can cause damages to physical structures and content under the skull, such as membranes, blood vessels and brain, even in the absence of a fracture. Even in the absence of such effects, 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. Types of skull fracture

  • Basilar skull fractures occurs when bones break at the base of the skull. They are rare as only 4% of patients with severe head trauma suffer from basilar skull fractures. Common signs of basilar fractures include:
    • Blood in the sinuses
    • A clear fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaking from the nose or ears
    • Raccoon eyes (bruising of the orbits of the eyes that result from blood collecting there as it leaks from the fracture site)
    • Battle’s sign (caused when blood collects behind the ears and causes bruising).

  • Linear fracture - Linear skull fractures are breaks in the thick bone of the skull in cross section from the outside to the inner table. The common method of injury is blunt trauma which transfers the energy of the blow over a wide area of ​​the skull. Linear skull fractures are usually of little clinical significance unless they occur in close proximity or transverse a suture, or they involve a venous sinus groove or vascular channel.
  • Diastatic fracture – Diastatic fractures occur when the fracture cross one or more sutures of the skull resulting in a widening of the suture. Although this type of fracture is usually seen in infants and young children, this may also occur in adults. Diastatic fractures can occur with different types of fractures and it is also possible for diastasis of the cranial sutures to occur without a concomitant fracture.
  • Depressed skull fracture – A depressed skull fracture is a type of fracture is usually caused by a blunt object, such as being hit by a car, car door, steering wheel or get kicked in the head. These types of fractures comprise of 11% of serious head injuries.  Displaced bones in a depressed skull fracture tend to be displaced inward towards the brain.  Therefore, depressed skull fracture carries a high risk of increased pressure on the brain and crushing the delicate tissues. Complex depressed fractures are those where the dura is torn. Depressed skull fractures may require surgery to remove bones off of or out of the brain tissues to alleviate pressure or risk of further injury.  Compound depressed skull fracture occurs when a tear on the fracture, resulting in the internal cranial cavity being in contact with the external environment. This increases the risk of contamination and infection.

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