What Is the Basal Skull

Basilar skull fractures, usually caused by substantial blunt force trauma, involve at least one of the bones that compose the base of the skull. Basilar skull fractures most commonly involve the temporal bones but may also involve the occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid, and orbital plate of the frontal bone.

What are the signs of basal skull fracture?

A basilar skull fracture is a break of a bone in the base of the skull. Symptoms may include bruising behind the ears, bruising around the eyes, or blood behind the ear drum. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurs in about 20% of cases and may result in fluid leaking from the nose or ear.

Can a basal skull fracture heal on its own?

Overall, most skull fractures heal on their own and don’t need surgery as long as there aren’t associated injuries to other structures such as the brain. They heal over time, usually over six weeks.