skull fractures
TRANSCRIPT
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…