Battle's sign
| Battle's sign | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Differential diagnosis | indication of fracture of middle cranial fossa of the skull |
Battle's sign, also known as mastoid ecchymosis, is a late indication of fracture of middle cranial fossa of the skull, appearing as bruising over one or both of the mastoid processes at least one day after the injury.[1] Such fractures can be associated with underlying brain trauma, as they appear as a result of extravasation of blood along the path of the posterior auricular artery.[2] The sign is named after William Henry Battle.[3]
Battle's sign is considered a late sign, as it takes at least one day to appear after the initial traumatic basilar skull fracture, similar to raccoon eyes.[1] Battle's sign may be confused with a spreading hematoma from a fracture of the mandibular condyle,[4] which is a less serious injury.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)
- ^ Naumann, Hans Heinz; Jan Helms (1998). Head and neck surgery. Thieme. p. 154. ISBN 0-86577-660-1.
- ^ synd/2976 at Whonamedit?
- ^ Banks, Peter; Brown, Andrew E. (2000). Fractures of the facial skeleton. Oxford: Wright. p. 43. ISBN 0723610347.
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