Cranial base fracture, these three symptoms should not be ignored

In clinical practice, after a fracture occurs, the symptoms vary depending on the location of the fracture. Skull fractures have different manifestations from fractures in other parts of the body. The following is a detailed analysis for everyone.

1. Fracture of the anterior cranial fossa

Vomiting of black-red or brown liquid, "panda eyes" sign (purple-blue ecchymosis under the periorbital skin and the syndesmotic membrane) appears a few hours after the injury, there may be cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, varying degrees of olfactory impairment and (or) decreased vision, and may be accompanied by frontal lobe cerebral contusion.

2. Fracture of the midcranial fossa

Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea or (and) intracranial gas; cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea; causing internal cervical artery cavernous sinus fistula, which may cause pulsating exophthalmos, commissural congestion and edema, or internal cervical artery pseudoaneurysm, resulting in fatal massive nosebleeds or ear bleeding; hearing impairment and peripheral facial paralysis caused by damage to cranial nerves VII and VIII are common.

3. Posterior cranial fossa fracture

Subcutaneous hematoma (Battle sign) appears in the mastoid area 2 to 3 days after injury. When accompanied by high cervical vertebrae fracture, limited cervical movement, difficulty breathing, limb paralysis, etc. may occur. If the foramen magnum or the posterior edge of the petrous apex is involved, symptoms such as hoarseness and difficulty swallowing may occur due to partial or complete involvement of the posterior cranial nerves.