Skull fractures

SKULL FRACTURESBy: DR.KRUPA RAITHATHAMPT. MUSCULOSKELETAL &SPORTS SCIENCESLECTURER AT SCHOOL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY, RK.UNIVERSITY,RAJKOT,GUJRAT,INDIA.

Bones of the Cranium

Frontal View

Frontal

Frontal View

Parietal

Frontal View

Temporal

Frontal View

Nasal

Frontal View

Vomer

Frontal View

Zygoma

Frontal View

Maxilla

Frontal View

Mandible

Frontal View

FrontalParietal

Temporal

Zygoma

Nasal

VomerMaxilla

Mandible

Frontal View

Lateral View

Frontal

Lateral View

Parietal

Lateral View

Temporal

Lateral View

Nasal

Lateral View

Zygoma

Lateral View

Maxilla

Lateral View

Mandible

Lateral View

Sphenoid

Lateral View

Occipital

Lateral View

Mastoid Process

Lateral View

External Auditory Meatus

Lateral View

Frontal

NasalZygomaMaxilla

Mandible

Parietal

SphenoidTemporal

Occipital

External Auditory Meatus

Mastoid Process

Lateral View

Sutures

Sagittal

Sutures

Frontal(Coronal)

Sutures

Squamous

Sutures

Lambdoid

Sutures

Frontal(Coronal)

Sagittal

Squamous

Lambdoid

Sutures

Key points

• There are different types of skull fractures.• Each type depends on -the force of the blow, the location of the impact on the skull, and the shape of the object making impact with the

head.• In some cases, an injury to the brain can also

accompany the fracture.

• Symptoms of a skull fracture include

• swelling around area of impact,

• facial bruising, and • bleeding from the

nostrils or ears.

• A skull fracture is any break in the cranial bone, also known as the skull.

• There are many types of skull fractures, but only one major cause: an impact or a blow to the head that’s strong enough to break the bone.

symptoms that can indicate a fracture include:swelling and tenderness around the area of

impactfacial bruisingbleeding from the nostrils or ears

• Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture. • Pain medication may be the only

treatment necessary in mild fractures, while neurosurgery may be required for more serious injuries.

Types of skull fractures

• The type of skull fracture depends on the force of the blow, the location of the impact on the skull, and the shape of the object making impact with the head.

• A pointier object is more likely to penetrate the skull than a hard surface, such as the ground.

• Different types of fractures lead to differing levels of injury and trauma.

Closed fracture• With a closed fracture,

also called a simple fracture, the skin that covers the fracture area isn’t broken or cut.

Open fracture• Also known as

a compound fracture, an open fracture occurs when the skin is broken and the bone emerges.

Depressed facture• This refers to a

fracture that causes the skull to indent or extend into the brain cavity.

Basal fracture• A basal fracture occurs in

the floor of the skull: the areas around the eyes, ears, nose, or back, near the spine.

In addition to the above types, fractures can also classify as: 

• linear (in a straight line)• greenstick (incomplete)• comminuted (broken into

three or more sections)

Causes of skull fractures

• A skull fracture occurs when a force that is strong enough to break the bone hits the skull.

• Any type of impact to the head can cause a skull fracture, including being hit with an object, falling and hitting the ground, injuring the head in a car accident, or any other type of trauma.

• In some cases, as in an open or depressed fracture, it may be easy to see that the skull is broken. Sometimes, though, the fracture isn’t obvious.

Symptoms of skull fractures

Serious symptoms of a skull fracture include:

• bleeding from the wound caused by the trauma, near the location of the trauma, or around the eyes, ears, and nose.

• bruising around the trauma site, under the eyes, or behind the ears

• severe pain at the trauma site• swelling at the trauma site• redness or warmth at the

trauma site

• Less severe symptoms, or those that may not necessarily appear to be related to a skull fracture, may include:

• headache• nausea• vomiting• blurred vision• restlessness• irritability• loss of balance• stiff neck• pupils not reacting to light• confusion• excessive drowsiness• fainting

Diagnosis of skull fractures

• A doctor may be able to diagnose a fracture by simply performing a physical examination of the head.

• However, it’s useful to diagnose the extent and exact nature of the damage, which requires more exact diagnostic tools.

• X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) are typical methods for imaging the body and can help to diagnose skull fractures.

• An X-ray penetrates soft tissue and provides an image of the bone. An MRI produces an image of the bone and soft tissue, allowing a doctor to see both the skull fracture and the brain.

• The most common tool used is a computerized tomography scan (CT or CAT scan). This technique usually provides the clearest picture of the fracture and any damage to the brain because it produces a 3-D image.

Treatment of skull fractures

Treatment of skull fractures

• Treatment for a skull fracture depends on several factors.

• Following points to be taken into take into consideration

• the person’s age,• health, and • medical history,• type of fracture, • its severity, and • any resulting brain injuries.

• In some cases, such as in basal skull fractures, medication to control pain may be all the patient needs.

• The skull will heal itself in a majority of these instances.

• However, a basal fracture may require surgery if it results in excessive leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the nose and ears.

• Surgery is more often a required course of treatment for depressed skull fractures.

• If the depression is severe enough, surgery may be necessary to correct it.

• Surgery may also be necessary if the depression puts pressure on the brain or if there is cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

prevention of skull fractures

Prevention of skull fractures

• Skull fractures can often be prevented. Wearing protective headgear when riding bicycles or participating in other sports in which head injuries are possible, such as football and rock climbing, can prevent a skull fracture.

Thank you…