Basilar Skull Fractures
Basilar skull fracture are commonly seen in blunt trauma. These fractures are usually managed conservatively and do not require surgery. They present with the following:
1. Racoon’s eyes (periorbital edema)
2. Battle’s sign (postauricular ecchymoses)
3. Hemotympanum (blood behind the ear canal)
4. Cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea (drainage through the ear canal)
5. CSF rhinorrhea (drainage through the nostrils)
6. Cranial nerve deficits
Nasogastric tubes should not be placed in cases of suspected or confirmed basilar skull fractures as the tube can be inadvertently placed intracranially.