Raccoon eyes: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Raccoon eyes
| image          = [[File:Racoon_eyes_injury_with_csf_leak_csv_hariadhi.svg|250px]]
| caption        = Raccoon eyes in a patient with a [[basilar skull fracture]]
| synonyms        = Periorbital ecchymosis
| field          = [[Emergency medicine]], [[Neurology]]
| symptoms        = Dark circles around the eyes
| complications  = [[Cerebrospinal fluid leak]], [[Meningitis]]
| onset          = Sudden, following head trauma
| duration        = Varies, depending on underlying cause
| causes          = [[Basilar skull fracture]], [[Facial fracture]]
| risks          = [[Head injury]], [[Trauma]]
| diagnosis      = [[Physical examination]], [[CT scan]]
| differential    = [[Allergic shiner]], [[Orbital cellulitis]]
| treatment      = Treat underlying cause, [[Observation]]
| prognosis      = Depends on severity of underlying injury
| frequency      = Common in severe head trauma cases
}}
== Raccoon Eyes (Periorbital Ecchymosis) ==
== Raccoon Eyes (Periorbital Ecchymosis) ==
'''Raccoon eyes''', also known as '''panda eyes''' in the United Kingdom and Ireland, or '''periorbital ecchymosis''', is a medical sign that may indicate a [[Basal skull fracture|basal skull fracture]], [[subgaleal hematoma]], a craniotomy that ruptured the meninges, or, in rare cases, certain types of [[cancer]].
'''Raccoon eyes''', also known as '''panda eyes''' in the United Kingdom and Ireland, or '''periorbital ecchymosis''', is a medical sign that may indicate a [[Basal skull fracture|basal skull fracture]], [[subgaleal hematoma]], a craniotomy that ruptured the meninges, or, in rare cases, certain types of [[cancer]].
 
[[File:Bilateral periorbital ecchymosis (raccoon eyes).jpg|left|thumb|Raccoon eyes in a patient]]
[[File:Bilateral periorbital ecchymosis (raccoon eyes).jpg|thumb|Raccoon eyes in a patient]]
 
=== Description ===
=== Description ===
Raccoon eyes refer to bruising around the eyes that resemble the mask-like patterns seen in raccoons. This condition arises due to bilateral hemorrhage, often as a result of facial fractures that tear the meninges, leading to bleeding from the venous sinuses into the arachnoid villi and cranial sinuses. In simpler terms, blood from a skull fracture seeps into the soft tissues around the eyes.
Raccoon eyes refer to bruising around the eyes that resemble the mask-like patterns seen in raccoons. This condition arises due to bilateral hemorrhage, often as a result of facial fractures that tear the meninges, leading to bleeding from the venous sinuses into the arachnoid villi and cranial sinuses. In simpler terms, blood from a skull fracture seeps into the soft tissues around the eyes.
=== Associated Conditions ===
=== Associated Conditions ===
Raccoon eyes are commonly associated with:
Raccoon eyes are commonly associated with:
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* Subgaleal hematoma
* Subgaleal hematoma
* Post-cranial surgery complications
* Post-cranial surgery complications
In rare instances, they may also signal the presence of certain cancers.
In rare instances, they may also signal the presence of certain cancers.
=== Diagnosis and Symptoms ===
=== Diagnosis and Symptoms ===
The appearance of raccoon eyes typically occurs within 48 to 72 hours after an injury. They may present alongside [[Battle's sign]], which is an ecchymosis (bruising) behind the ear. These signs can sometimes be the sole indicators of a skull fracture, as the fracture may not be visible on an X-ray.
The appearance of raccoon eyes typically occurs within 48 to 72 hours after an injury. They may present alongside [[Battle's sign]], which is an ecchymosis (bruising) behind the ear. These signs can sometimes be the sole indicators of a skull fracture, as the fracture may not be visible on an X-ray.
=== Medical Advice and Precautions ===
=== Medical Advice and Precautions ===
It is recommended that individuals with raccoon eyes should avoid blowing their nose or coughing vigorously to prevent further complications. Medical attention is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
It is recommended that individuals with raccoon eyes should avoid blowing their nose or coughing vigorously to prevent further complications. Medical attention is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
== External Links ==
== External Links ==
* [https://www.healthline.com/health/raccoon-eyes Healthline: Raccoon Eyes]
* [https://www.healthline.com/health/raccoon-eyes Healthline: Raccoon Eyes]
* [https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/827456-overview Medscape: Basal Skull Fracture]
* [https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/827456-overview Medscape: Basal Skull Fracture]
[[Category:Medical signs]]
[[Category:Medical signs]]
[[Category:Skull fractures]]
[[Category:Skull fractures]]
[[Category:Ophthalmology]]
[[Category:Ophthalmology]]
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{{stub}}

Latest revision as of 18:13, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Raccoon eyes
Synonyms Periorbital ecchymosis
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Dark circles around the eyes
Complications Cerebrospinal fluid leak, Meningitis
Onset Sudden, following head trauma
Duration Varies, depending on underlying cause
Types N/A
Causes Basilar skull fracture, Facial fracture
Risks Head injury, Trauma
Diagnosis Physical examination, CT scan
Differential diagnosis Allergic shiner, Orbital cellulitis
Prevention N/A
Treatment Treat underlying cause, Observation
Medication N/A
Prognosis Depends on severity of underlying injury
Frequency Common in severe head trauma cases
Deaths N/A


Raccoon Eyes (Periorbital Ecchymosis)[edit]

Raccoon eyes, also known as panda eyes in the United Kingdom and Ireland, or periorbital ecchymosis, is a medical sign that may indicate a basal skull fracture, subgaleal hematoma, a craniotomy that ruptured the meninges, or, in rare cases, certain types of cancer.

Raccoon eyes in a patient

Description[edit]

Raccoon eyes refer to bruising around the eyes that resemble the mask-like patterns seen in raccoons. This condition arises due to bilateral hemorrhage, often as a result of facial fractures that tear the meninges, leading to bleeding from the venous sinuses into the arachnoid villi and cranial sinuses. In simpler terms, blood from a skull fracture seeps into the soft tissues around the eyes.

Associated Conditions[edit]

Raccoon eyes are commonly associated with:

  • Basal skull fractures
  • Subgaleal hematoma
  • Post-cranial surgery complications

In rare instances, they may also signal the presence of certain cancers.

Diagnosis and Symptoms[edit]

The appearance of raccoon eyes typically occurs within 48 to 72 hours after an injury. They may present alongside Battle's sign, which is an ecchymosis (bruising) behind the ear. These signs can sometimes be the sole indicators of a skull fracture, as the fracture may not be visible on an X-ray.

Medical Advice and Precautions[edit]

It is recommended that individuals with raccoon eyes should avoid blowing their nose or coughing vigorously to prevent further complications. Medical attention is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.

External Links[edit]

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