A retrospective analysis of the skull base fractures: demographic characteristics, causes and imaging findings

Abstract

Background and objectives: Skull base fractures have high mortality and morbidity rates and constitute a significant medical issue. The aim of the present study was to review the demographic characteristics, common locations and causes of the skull base fractures retrospectively. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on patients who attended the Intensive Care Unit/Radiology Clinic of Adiyaman University Training and Research Hospital between 2015 and 2018 and were found to have skull base fractures. The data were accessed via PACS system of the hospital database. Age, gender, cause of the trauma, type of the skull base fracture, imaging findings and outcome of the enrolled patients were analyzed. Results: Total 138 cases who met the study criteria were enrolled in the study. The causes of the skull base fracture were as follows: fall 52.2%, traffic accident 36.2%, pounding 3.6%, firearm injury 0.7%, sharp object injury 0.7%, and other causes 6.5%. There was a statistically significant (p<0.001) difference in rate of skull base fracture caused by traffic accident between the ≤18-year group and 19-45 age group. The difference between the types of epidural hematoma was not significant in all age groups (p= 0.156); however, there was a statistically significant difference for gender (female vs. male 26.1%73.9%, p=0.025). Conclusion: Skull base fractures were more common in fall from height and traffic accidents. In order to reduce skull base fractures, it is recommended to take preventive precautions for falls from height and traffic accidents. IMC J Med Sci 2022; 16(2): 002. DOI:https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.16.012 *Correspondence: Safiye Kafadar, Department of Radiology, Adiyaman University Education and Research Hospital, Adiyaman, Turkey. Email: safiyekafadar@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0003-4070-9615