Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Basal skull fracture

(Science: orthopaedics) a fracture involving the base of the cranium.

this fracture is often difficult to detect clinically. Findings may include raccoon eyes, battles sign, haemotympanum and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea.

plain skull x-ray will often not reveal the basal skull fracture, making a ct scan or mri the most reliable diagnostic investigation.