Skull fracture

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Skull fracture

Alternative Names

Basilar skull fracture; Depressed skull fracture; Linear skull fracture

Prevention

1. Use car seats or seat belts whenever in a motor vehicle.

2. Use helmets whenever biking, skating, skiing, climbing, or playing contact sports.

3. Use equipment designed specifically for the type of sport or recreation in which you are participating.

4. Provide appropriate supervision for children of any age.

5. Do not allow children to bike or skate at night.

6. Provide highly visible clothing.

7. Teach children to obey traffic rules and signals.

8. Educate individuals about risks of various work, recreational, or sport activities and how to avoid injury.

9. Report any concerns you might have about abuse.

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.


Skull of an adult

$Skull fracture$
Skull fracture

$Skull fracture$
Skull fracture


Battle's sign - behind the ear

$Infant skull fracture$
Infant skull fracture

Review Date: 2/19/2008
Reviewed By: 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.

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