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Basilar Skull Fractures and Their Complications in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury
Mehdi Shafiei1, Bahram Aminmansour1, Mehdi Mahmoodkhani2
1Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Korean Journal of Neurotrauma
|April 13, 2023
Summary
Basilar skull fractures in young adults, often men, commonly cause pain, bruising, and bleeding. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 32% of patients, highlighting the need for preventative measures.
Area of Science:
- Trauma Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) disproportionately affects young individuals, impacting the societal workforce.
- Basilar skull fractures (BSFs) are a severe consequence of head trauma with significant clinical implications.
- Understanding the clinical course of BSFs is crucial for managing this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical manifestations, complications, and prognosis of patients diagnosed with basilar skull fractures.
- To analyze demographic and disease-specific data in patients with BSFs.
- To inform preventative strategies and healthcare resource allocation for TBI.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted over one year (March 2021-March 2022) at Kashani Hospital, Esfahan, Iran.
- One hundred patients with diagnosed basilar skull fractures were included via census.
- Data collected included demographics (age, sex) and clinical information (loss of consciousness, meningitis signs, surgical needs, neurological examination).
Main Results:
- The study included 100 patients, with 89% being male.
- The most frequent complications were pain (89%), bruising (89%), and bleeding (89%) at the trauma site.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage was observed in 32% of patients, and "raccoon eyes" in 19%.
Conclusions:
- Basilar skull fractures present significant complications, including pain and CSF leakage, particularly in young male populations.
- The economic burden of trauma necessitates identifying consequences and implementing preventative educational measures.
- Further research into BSF management and prevention is warranted to mitigate health system costs.
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