Craniofacial and skull base trauma.
BACKGROUND
Traumatic craniofacial and skull base injuries require a multidisciplinary team approach. Trauma physicians must evaluate carefully, triage properly, and maintain a high index of suspicion to improve survival and enhance functional recovery. Frequently, craniofacial and skull base injuries are overlooked while treating more life-threatening injuries. Unnoticed complex craniofacial and skull base fractures, cerebrospinal fluid fistulae, and cranial nerve injuries can result in blindness, diplopia, deafness, facial paralysis, or meningitis. Early recognition of specific craniofacial and skull base injury patterns can lead to identification of associated injuries and allow for more rapid and appropriate management.


CONCLUSIONS
Early detection and treatment of craniofacial and skull base traumatic injuries should lead to decreased morbidity and mortality. This review discusses the most common of these injuries, their possible complications, and treatment.
Katzen
J Timothy
JT
Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA.
Jarrahy
Reza
R
Eby
Joseph B
JB
Mathiasen
Ronald A
RA
Margulies
Daniel R
DR
Shahinian
Hrayr K
HK
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D020209:Cranial Nerve Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy