Medical Health Encyclopedia

Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test Special Topic

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N P R S T U W

Skull of an adult Skull fracture Skull fracture Battle's sign - behind the ear Infant skull fracture

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Skull fracture

Alternative Names: Basilar skull fracture; Depressed skull fracture; Linear skull fracture Symptoms: Headache Bleeding from wound, ears, nose, or around eyes Drainage of clear or bloody fluid from ears or nose Loss of consciousness Confusion Convulsions Restlessness, irritability Drowsiness Slurred speech Difficulties with balance Visual disturbances Nausea Vomiting Swelling Bruising behind the ears or under the eyes Changes in pupils (sizes unequal, not reactive to light) Stiff neck Note: The only symptom may be a bump on the head. References: Text Continues Below Dias MS. Traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2004; 51(2): 271-303. Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:306. Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005:1357.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.