Case of the Week
Section Editors: Matylda Machnowska1 and Anvita Pauranik2
1University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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November 24, 2014
Temporal Bone Fracture
- Most temporal bone fractures are a result of high-energy blunt head trauma.
- Temporal bone fractures are present in 14%–22% of patients with skull fractures.
- Temporal bone fractures were originally classified as transverse and longitudinal. However, it is now recognized that most fractures are mixed.
- Key Diagnostic Features:
- Imaging findings include fractures involving the temporal bone.
- It is absolutely essential to look for extension of the fracture line to the ossicles, otic capsule, facial nerve canal, carotid canal, jugular foramen, and other adjacent skull base structures.
- Associated findings include opacification of the tympanic cavity and mastoid air cells due to hemorrhage and adjacent scalp hematoma.
- The brain should be evaluated for contusions.
- Rx: Depends on the extent of the fracture and the structures involved
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