Skull Fracture Symptoms

The human brain is enclosed in a bony cage called the skull. It protects many delicate nerve connections of the nervous system that helps in the functioning of the body. The skull is a very hard structure that is difficult to break. However, when a really hard impact breaks one or more of the bones of the skull, it leads to a fracture. There are many small bones that make up the skull. These small bones are called the frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, sphenoid and ethmoid bones. When one suffers from skull fracture, it is called cranial fracture. In the following paragraphs, we shall concentrate on skull fracture symptoms and treatment.

Causes of Skull Fracture

The basic causes of skull fractures is either head trauma, falls, automobile accidents, rugged sports, physical assault, etc. When the impact is too intense, only then will it result in a skull fracture.

Skull Fracture Symptoms

There are two types of skull fracture observed that has different kinds of symptoms. The first type is the closed skull fracture or simple skull fracture. When the bone is broken without any changes or displacement in the alignment of the bones, it is closed fracture. When the bones of the skull are displaced and it causes rupture of blood vessels between the skull and outer membrane, it is called open or depressed skull fracture. An open skull fracture is very dangerous as it allows bacteria to gain entry into the skull. This may lead to development of bacterial infection of brain.

When the base of the skull is broken it causes tear of the meninges. It causes the membranes attached to the brain to rupture and bleed. Thus, one observes basilar skull fracture symptoms. These basilar skull fracture symptoms include bruising of scalp, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness and even seizures. In extreme cases, a person may slip into coma. The typical symptoms of basilar fracture include raccoon eyes and battle signs behind the ear. There are two temporal bones on either side of the head. These bones are located under the ear in the skull. It helps protecting the brain region that controls speech, hearing, memory and behavior. When the temporal bone is broken, it is called temporal skull fracture. The temporal skull fracture symptoms include loss of hearing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, facial nerve paralysis and leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the nose and ears.

The symptoms in general include the following:

• Bleeding from ears, nose, around the eyes and even from the open wound in head
• Bruising around the eyes and ears
• The eye pupils are not reactive to light and show difference in their sizes
• Convulsions
• Confusion
• Balancing problems
• Clear or bloody fluid oozing from ears or nose
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Slurred speech
• Stiff neck
• Restlessness
• Depressed area or indentation in skull
• Tinnitus
• Amnesia
• Numbness in one arm or leg
• Double vision

Symptoms in Children

Children may have a skull fracture if they fall down from a height and land directly on their head. Falling down the stairs is one of the common reason for skull fracture in children. The symptoms in children are as follows:

• Swelling on the head
• Fluid from head, ear, nose
• Bulging fontanel in infants
• Dented head
• Dizziness
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Severe headache

Skull Fracture Treatment

Skull fractures tend to take about 3 to 6 months to heal. The skull fracture treatment depends on the type of fracture. In case of open wound scalp, the doctor may clean it and remove dirt, blood, dead tissue, etc. from it. Then dress the wound and may drain the blood. He will also repair the damaged and ruptured arteries and blood vessels. In case the bone fragments have damaged the meninges or brain tissue, surgery is required to remove these fragments. The damaged tissue is repaired and the patient is given antibiotics to reduce risk of infections. In case the person suffers from permanent or temporary brain damage, he or she is given physical therapy.

In case you come across someone with skull fracture, do not move the victim. Call for medical help immediately. The patient may require special braces, etc. to avoid spinal injuries. Never remove any protruding object from the brain and never give him any medications without consulting a medical professional. Even if the person has closed skull fracture and does not show any outward signs of grave injury, do not leave his/her side till help arrives.