Skull fracture - Symptom
Alternative Names
Basilar skull fracture; Depressed skull fracture; Linear skull fracture
Symptoms:
- Bleeding from wound, ears, nose, or around eyes
- Bruising behind the ears or under the eyes
- Changes in pupils (sizes unequal, not reactive to light)
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Difficulties with balance
- Drainage of clear or bloody fluid from ears or nose
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea
- Restlessness, irritability
- Slurred speech
- Stiff neck
- Swelling
- Visual disturbances
- Vomiting
Note: The only symptom may be a bump on the head. A bump or bruise may take up to 24 hours to develop.
- Reviewed last on: 2/19/2008
- John E. Duldner, Jr., MD, MS, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Director of Research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Akron General Medical Center and Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
References
Dias MS. Traumatic brain and spinal cord injury. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2004; 51(2): 271-303.
Marx, J. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006.
