Incidence of skull fractures in Olmsted County, Minnesota.
Between 1935 and 1974, 3598 episodes of head trauma among Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents resulted in 1097 skull fractures. Of these, 53% were simple, 16% were depressed, 12% were compound, and 19% were basilar. The age-and sex-adjusted incidence of skull fractures was 44.3 per 100,000 person-years overall, was somewhat greater in the urban than in the rural areas of Olmsted County, and was relatively stable for the final 30 years of the study. Age-specific incidence rates were highest for the very young, and simple linear fractures were the predominant type of skull fracture in this age group and among the elderly. The male:female ratio of incidence rates varied from 2.1:1 to 4.5:1 depending on fracture type. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for 38% of the skull fractures and were a particularly important cause among young males. Falls accounted for 37% of the skull fractures and were the major cause of fractures in the elderly and pediatric age groups. The results of this population-based study may be helpful in formulating recommendations for the evaluation and management of head-injured patients.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology