Battle's sign in temporal bone trauma

Sideline management of facial injuries

Physicians who cover sporting events frequently encounter facial injuries. These injuries include contusions, hematomas, abrasions, lacerations, ruptured tympanic membranes, and fractures. For most physicians covering events, the diagnoses and decisions on returning athletes to play must be made without many of the diagnostic tools available in the office, such as radiographs, nasopharyngoscopes, or CT scans. As a result, physicians must rely on focused histories and thorough physical examinations to make their diagnoses and ultimately determine if injured participants can continue in their respective events.

Fracturas de peñasco. Nuestra experiencia: 1999-2004

OBJECTIVE

To review the petrous bone fractures during the last five years (1999-2004) in our hospital, its manage, control, and analysis onf the associated factors. To analyse the managing protocoles and current bibliography.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We review 266 temporal bone fractures, 74 with petrous bone association. We analyse these fractures by sex distribution, injurie severity, otorhinolaryngological clinical findings, production mechanism and radiological findings. The cases are discussed and compared with current bibliography.

CONCLUSIONS

Petrous bone fractures must be always suspected in patients with head trauma, specially if it associates severity and otorrhagia. It is necessary a deep colaboration between neurosurgeons, radiologists and otorhinolaryngologists to obtain a good management, control and follow up of the patients.