types of skull fractures

Question 1

Diastatic skull fracture

seen in who

Answer 1

Diastatic skull fractures are fractures that occur along suture lines, resulting in widening.
They are usually seen in newborns and infants as their skull bones take time to develop.

Question 2

Linear skull fracture

Answer 2

A linear skull fracture is when there is a fracture without any movement or distortion of the bone.

Hence, the fracture just appears as a thin line/crack in the skull.
These are less serious than basal skull fractures, require observation only and do not usually require any surgical management.
They are not associated with the characteristic features as in this case of a basal skull fracture, and rarely develop any complications.

Question 3

open skull fracture

Answer 3

An open skull fracture is when the fracture has led to skin breakage, resulting in bone protruding.

Question 4

a depressed skull fracture

Answer 4

A depressed skull fracture is when the bone sinks downwards towards the brain.
These may require surgical intervention, especially if the underlying brain tissue is compressed.
non smoothed contour

Question 5

basal skull fracture

occur when

Answer 5

Fractures of the skull base can occur following head injury sustained during RTA.
The commonest location of these fractures is the petrous part of the temporal bone.

Classical features are haemotympanum (bleeding behind the tympanic membrane)
periorbital ecchymoses (raccoon eyes)
bruising of the mastoid (Battle’s sign)
rhinorrhea (due to CSF leakage.)
Most require observation only, but in some cases surgical correction may be required, such as in the case of persistent CSF risk. Complications are serious, including meningo-encephalitis and cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Question 6

signs of basal skull fracture

Answer 6

Classical features are haemotympanum (bleeding behind the tympanic membrane)
periorbital ecchymoses (raccoon eyes)
bruising of the mastoid (Battle’s sign) and rhinorrhea (due to CSF leakage.) Most require observation only, but in some cases surgical correction may be required, such as in the case of persistent CSF risk. Complications are serious, including meningo-encephalitis and cavernous sinus thrombosis.

Question 7

what are oncocytomas and where do they normally form

Answer 7

An oncocytoma is a type of tumour that is usually benign and develops from oncocytes. These are epithelial cells that have a high concentration of mitochondria. These most often present in the kidneys, salivary glands or thyroid