Elevation of Depressed Skull Fracture

What is a depressed skull fracture?

A depressed skull fracture occurs when a bone in the cranial vault begins to cave in and move inward into the brain cavity. This can cause severe damage to the brain if not treated timeously. In severe cases, the bone piece may pierce the dura mater, a tough, outer protective covering of the brain, causing cerebrospinal fluid to seep through.

Depressed skull fractures commonly occur due to severe head trauma, sudden falls, automobile accidents, physical assaults and sports injuries. It's crucial not to delay seeking medical attention and surgical intervention immediately after the injury. Remember, early detection and intervention can significantly reduce the risk of complications such as infection.

What are the signs?

Depressed skull fractures can lead to increased pressure on the brain or severe damage to the brain, depending on the extent of these injuries.

Other associated signs include:

• Pain in the region
• Persistent headaches
• Chronic nausea or vomiting
• Disorientation
• Bruising beneath the eyes or behind the ears
• Bleeding around the eyes, nose or ears
• Fluid seepage from the nose or ears
• Convulsions
• Trouble with balance
• Difficulty with speech (slurred speech patterns)
• Stiffness in the neck
• Swelling around the head
• Issues with eyesight

How do you treat depressed skull fractures?

The criteria for the surgical treatment of a depressed skull fracture depend on the following:

• A depression that’s greater than the width of the skull.
• Challenges with brain function due to increased pressure or injury to the underlying brain tissue.
• Seepage of cerebrospinal fluid.
• The depressed fracture faces exposure due to an opening (cut) in the scalp.

Surgery involves repositioning the bones and suturing the skin to seal the opening. In most cases the fractured bone pieces have to be discarded to prevent infection, the resulting defect can then be repaired at a later stage by cranioplasty. Following surgical repair of the skull fracture, the patient is closely monitored to ensure no complications arise from the procedure. Rest assured, this is a highly effective treatment method.

After reconstructive surgery, the patient will experience a significant improvement in their condition and a boost in their confidence due to the successful treatment and aesthetic improvement of the depression.