Ort Stuart, Beus Kirt, Isaacson Jon
Division of Otolarygology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004 Oct;131(4):433-7. doi: 10.1016/j.otohns.2004.04.006.
To examine pediatric temporal bone fractures in a rural population.
A retrospective chart review of pediatric temporal bone fractures between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2000, at a rural academic medical center.
A total of 108 patients were identified. Common etiologies include falls, bicycle-related injuries, and motor vehicle accidents. Animal-related injuries were identified primarily in patients under 5. Facial nerve injuries were noted in 7%, hearing loss in 16%, additional skull base fractures in 65%, and intracranial injuries in 75%.
Temporal bone fracture etiology in the rural pediatric population is associated with age. Young children may suffer fractures secondary to animal-related accidents. Patterns of injury differ little between rural and urban settings.
Animal-related accidents may be a significant cause of temporal bone trauma in rural young children. Our data remain unique in that we report additional skull base fractures as well as intracranial injuries in this population.
