Skull Fractures

A skull fracture is a break in any of the bones that make up the skull. Depending on the impact of the injury, there may be associated damage to the brain as well.

Causes:

Any injury that causes a significant impact to the head including:

– Motor vehicle accident

– Falls

– Sports related injuries

– Assault

Symptoms:

– Headache

– Swelling and tenderness at the site of the fracture

– Bruising

– Bleeding from the nose and/or ears

– Nausea and/or vomiting

– Visual changes

– Confusion

Diagnosis:

An x-ray or CT scan of the head is needed in order to confirm the diagnosis of a skull fracture and to identify its type, location and size. Additionally, an MRI of the brain may be required to check for any damage to the brain as a result of the fracture.

Treatment:

The treatment for a skull fracture is dependent on several factors including the type and location of the fracture, whether there is any bleeding within the brain, and the overall health of the patient. Fractures that lead to significant intracranial bleeding or compression of the brain often require surgery to relieve the pressure.