A skull fracture is a break in any of the bones that make up the skull. It can be caused by any injury that causes significant impact to the head including a car accident, fall, assault, or sports injury.
Depending on the impact of the injury, there may be associated damage to the brain as well. Symptoms of a skull fracture include:
An x-ray or computed topography (CT) scan is needed in order to confirm the diagnosis of a skull fracture and to identify its type, location, and size. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain may be required to check for any damage to the brain as a result of the fracture.
The treatment for a skull fracture is dependent on several factors including the type and location of the fracture, whether there is any bleeding within the brain, and the overall health of the patient. Fractures that lead to significant intracranial bleeding or compression of the brain often require surgery to relieve the pressure.
Krohn Clinic
WI Brain & Spine - Altoona