Skull Fracture

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A skull fracture, also called a cranial fracture, is a break in one or more bones of the head. Your skull is made up of bones that join together including your frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital bones. Your skull protects your brain, nerves, blood vessels, and inner ears from injury. Skull fractures commonly occur from a trauma or injury to your head. This may happen after a fall, physical attack, or motor vehicle accident. You may have headaches, dizziness, or blood or fluid coming out of your ear or nose. You may have bruising behind your ears or around your eyes. A skull fracture may also cause you to have eye or hearing problems.
  
  
• An x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a computed tomography (CT) scan may be used to check for your skull fracture. You may also need an ear exam, and nerve and neurological (neuro) tests. Nerve and neuro tests are used to check for damage to your brain and nerves. You may need to wear a brace to keep your head and neck from moving. You may also need a lumbar drain, spinal tap, or surgery to treat your skull fracture. Having your skull fracture treated may help relieve your symptoms, such as pain, headaches, and dizziness. Treatment may also help prevent more serious problems, such as leaking fluid from your brain. Treating your skull fracture may also save your life.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Antinausea medicine: This medicine may be given to calm your stomach and prevent vomiting.
  
  
• Steroid medicine: Steroid medicine may be given to decrease inflammation, which is redness, pain, and swelling. Steroids may be needed to decrease facial nerve swelling. Steroids may help improve any weakness or paralysis (unable to move) of your facial muscles. Steroids can help a lot but may also have side effects. Be sure you understand why you need steroids. Do not stop taking this medicine without your caregiver’s OK. Stopping on your own can cause problems.
  
  
• Stool softeners: This medicine makes it easier for you to have a bowel movement. You may need this medicine to treat or prevent constipation.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Activity:

You may need to rest in bed with your head raised for a period of time after your injury. Avoid straining, such as blowing your nose, sneezing, and lifting heavy objects. Straining may increase the pressure in your head. If fluid from around your brain is leaking, straining may worsen the leak.

Eye patch:

You may need to wear an eye patch to help correct your vision or eye movement problems.

Hearing devices:

If you have hearing problems or total hearing loss, you may need a hearing aid or a cochlear implant. A hearing aid or cochlear implant may help improve your hearing. Ask your caregiver for more information about these devices.

Neck brace:

A neck brace may be needed to prevent you from moving your head and neck. A neck brace may be soft or hard and helps prevent further injury while your fracture heals. A neck brace may also help to decrease neck pain. Ask your caregiver for more information about a neck brace and about how to care for it.

Vestibular rehabilitation:

Vestibular rehabilitation may be needed if you are having problems with dizziness. In this program, you may learn activities that will help improve your balance and decrease your dizziness. Ask your caregiver for more information about vestibular rehabilitation and if you need it.

Wound care:

You may have a wound and bandage if you needed surgery for your skull fracture. Ask you caregiver for information about how to care for your wound.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• People close to you notice changes in how you act.
  
  
• You have a fever (high body temperature).
  
  
• You have a headache.
  
  
• You have ear pain.
  
  
• You start to throw up.
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse over time.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have blood or fluid coming out of one or both ears.
  
  
• You have worsening neck pain.
  
  
• You had a seizure (convulsion).
  
  
• You have eye pain or swelling around your eyes.
  
  
• Your eye or eyes begin to bulge (stick out).
  
  
• You suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.
  
  
• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Skull Fracture (Aftercare Instructions)