Skull fracture as a risk factor of intracranial complications in minor head injuries: a prospective CT study in a series of 98 adult patients.
Ninety eight patients admitted to hospital after a minor head injury were studied by CT. Forty seven patients had a skull fracture and 51 did not. Significantly more intracranial lesions were found in those with a fracture (16) that those without (3) (p less than 0.01). Nine of the patients with a skull fracture and positive CT were transferred to a neurosurgical department, where six underwent operation. Operation was not required in patients without a skull fracture. Head injured patients with a skull fracture should undergo CT scanning to enable early detection of an intracranial haematoma.
Servadei
F
F
Division of Neurosurgery, Ospedale Bellaria, Bologna, Italy.
Ciucci
G
G
Pagano
F
F
Rebucci
G G
GG
Ariano
M
M
Piazza
G
G
Gaist
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003128:Coma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*