Skull fracture

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

Skull fracture
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Headache, confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness
Complications	Intracranial hemorrhage, infection, brain damage
Onset	Trauma
Duration	Varies
Types	Linear, Depressed, Diastatic, Basilar
Causes	Blunt force trauma, falls, motor vehicle accidents
Risks	High-impact sports, violence, accidents
Diagnosis	Physical examination, imaging studies (X-ray, CT scan)
Differential diagnosis	Concussion, subdural hematoma, epidural hematoma
Prevention	Helmet use, seat belt use, fall prevention
Treatment	Observation, surgery
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Depends on severity and complications
Frequency	Common in trauma cases
Deaths	N/A

Depressed skull fracture

Skull fracture

Meninges

Cranial bones

Three bone layers of the cranial vault

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 brain.

Types of Skull Fractures

There are four major types of skull fractures, which are classified based on the appearance of the fracture and the pattern of the break:

1. Linear skull fracture: This is the most common type of skull fracture. It involves a break in the bone but does not move the bone.
2. Depressed skull fracture: This type of fracture may be seen with or without a cut in the scalp. In this fracture, part of the skull is actually sunken in from the trauma.
3. Diastatic skull fracture: These are fractures that occur along the suture lines in the skull. The force of the blow may widen the sutures and can be seen most often in newborns and older infants.
4. Basilar skull fracture': This is the most serious type of skull fracture, and involves a break in the bone at the base of the skull. Patients with this type of fracture frequently have bruises around their eyes and a bruise behind their ear.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a skull fracture can include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Bleeding from wound, ears, nose, or around eyes

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a skull fracture typically involves a physical examination and imaging tests. The most common imaging test is a CT scan, which can reveal fractures and also show evidence of injury to the brain, bleeding, or blood clots.

Treatment

Treatment for a skull fracture depends on the type of fracture and the severity of the injury. It may include:

• Observation
• Pain management
• Surgery
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy

See Also

• Traumatic brain injury
• Concussion
• Cerebral contusion
• Cerebral edema

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