Modeling mechanisms of skull base injury for drivers in motor vehicle collisions.
OBJECTIVE
To develop biomechanical variable models for driver skull base injury mechanisms in motor vehicle collisions.


METHODS
Retrospective database review.


METHODS
Biomechanical collision variables and safety restraint data were analyzed for Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network skull base trauma subjects enrolled during the recruitment period between 1996 and 2005.


RESULTS
For drivers satisfying inclusion criteria (n = 26), injury resulted from contact with rigid vehicle structural elements in 82%, and occurred in 50% despite both seatbelt and air bags. Eight percent used neither seatbelts nor air bags. Seventy-two percent involved vector velocity changes greater than 30 mph. The relative morbidity of skull base injuries was also detailed.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of driver skull base injuries resulted from contact with rigid vehicle structural elements in high velocity crashes. Seatbelt and air bag use could not be definitively correlated with skull base injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Injury mechanism models can be developed that facilitate further investigations to determine impact and scope on a national scale.
Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. jrgfish@gmail.com
Jonathan R
JR
Grant
John S
JS
Rhee
Frank A
FA
Pintar
Narayan
N
Yoganandan
D000054:Acceleration; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D017278:Air Bags; D001334:Automobile Driving; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012622:Seat Belts; D019291:Skull Base / Q000293:injuries*