Unusual complications of temporal bone fractures

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1987 Jul;113(7):749-53. doi: 10.1001/archotol.1987.01860070063017.

Abstract

Eighty-two temporal bone fractures were diagnosed in 75 patients with high-resolution computed tomographic scanning. Excluding six gunshot injuries, 55 (72%) of the fractures were oblique, 11 (15%) were longitudinal, and ten (13%) were transverse. Facial paresis or paralysis occurred in 45 patients (60%), hemotympanum occurred in 67 (89%), and cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea occurred in 19 (25%). Among 66 patients in whom audiometry was performed, 20 (30%) had conductive hearing loss, nine (14%) had sensorineural loss, and 36 (55%) had mixed hearing loss. Vestibular symptoms were present in 23 patients (30%). Other unusual complications of temporal bone fractures were observed: bilateral abducens paralysis, three patients (4%); unilateral abducens paralysis, two (2.67%); trigeminal paralysis, one (1.33%); and aseptic sigmoid sinus thrombosis, one (1.33%).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abducens Nerve Injury
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Facial Paralysis / etiology
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss, Conductive / etiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Skull Fractures / complications*
  • Temporal Bone / injuries*
  • Trigeminal Nerve Injuries
  • Wounds, Gunshot / complications