Longitudinal temporal bone fractures

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Longitudinal temporal bone fractures normally occurs parallel to the long axis of the petrous bone. A more current classification of the extent of temporal bone fractures describes the integrity of the otic capsule rather than the fracture orientation (see temporal bone fractures.)

Epidemiology

Longitudinal fractures represent the majority (70-90%) of temporal bone fractures. Periauricular swelling and retroauricular ecchymosis (Battle sign) is common and almost all have otorrhagia.

Pathology

Mechanism

Such a fracture typically originates from squama temporalis with inferior propagation of the fracture line through the mastoid into the lateral wall of the middle ear, passing behind, through, or in front of the external auditory canal and ends in middle cranial fossa adjacent to the foramen spinosum and lacerum. Involvement of the otic capsule is rare. Depending on the force of impact, the fracture line may extend, deviated by the strong petrous bone, through the anteromedial wall of the middle ear.

Complications

facial paralysis in 20% of cases
may cause conductive hearing loss
pneumocephalus
incudostapedal dislocation
herniation of temporal lobe

-<p><strong>Longitudinal temporal bone fractures</strong> normally occurs parallel to the long axis of the <a href="/articles/temporal-bone-1">petrous bone</a>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Longitudinal fractures represent the majority (70-90%) of <a href="/articles/temporal-bone-fractures">temporal bone fractures</a>. Periauricular swelling and retroauricular ecchymosis (Battle sign) is common and almost all have otorrhagia. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Mechanism</h5><p>Such a fracture typically originates from squama temporalis with inferior propagation of the fracture line through the <a href="/articles/temporal-bone-1">mastoid</a> into the lateral wall of the middle ear, passing behind, through, or in front of the external auditory canal and ends in middle cranial fossa adjacent to the foramen spinosum and lacerum. Involvement of the otic capsule is rare. Depending on the force of impact, the fracture line may extend, deviated by the strong <a href="/articles/temporal-bone-1">petrous bone</a>, through the anteromedial wall of the middle ear.</p><h5>Complications</h5><ul>
+<p><strong>Longitudinal temporal bone fractures</strong> normally occurs parallel to the long axis of the <a href="/articles/temporal-bone-1">petrous bone</a>. A more current classification of the extent of temporal bone fractures describes the integrity of the otic capsule rather than the fracture orientation (see <a href="/articles/temporal-bone-fractures">temporal bone fractures</a>.)</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Longitudinal fractures represent the majority (70-90%) of <a href="/articles/temporal-bone-fractures">temporal bone fractures</a>. Periauricular swelling and retroauricular ecchymosis (Battle sign) is common and almost all have otorrhagia. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Mechanism</h5><p>Such a fracture typically originates from squama temporalis with inferior propagation of the fracture line through the <a href="/articles/temporal-bone-1">mastoid</a> into the lateral wall of the middle ear, passing behind, through, or in front of the external auditory canal and ends in middle cranial fossa adjacent to the foramen spinosum and lacerum. Involvement of the otic capsule is rare. Depending on the force of impact, the fracture line may extend, deviated by the strong <a href="/articles/temporal-bone-1">petrous bone</a>, through the anteromedial wall of the middle ear.</p><h5>Complications</h5><ul>

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