Neuroradiology

Skull fracture

one of the direct consequences of craniocerebral trauma. Skull fractures may be localized in the vault or in the skull base and may be associated with intracranial extraparenchymal haematomas in the epi- or subdural space. Epidural haematomas are almost invariably associated to a skull fracture. If not associated with a haematoma linear skull fractures in the vault are not a clinical concern and heal spontaneously. Therefore they theoretically do not need to be searched for on skull X-rays. Depressed fractures are typically associated with localized direct parenchymal injury. Skull base fractures are usually associated with major trauma and may be localized in the occipital temporal or sphenoid bone. They may cause carotid or vertebral arterial dissection and carotico-cavernous fistulas.

FS