Depressed Skull Fracture

Definition

Depressed skull fracture is a fracture or break of the cranial bone that results in depression of the bone fragment into the underlying brain tissue.

Current Knowledge

This may result in bruising because of compression of the underlying brain tissue or disruption to the underlying cerebral blood vessels. Blood clots can form under the surface of the skull (epidural or subdural hematoma). Individuals with depressed skull fracture may develop raccoon eyes or a battle sign that tips the clinician off about the presence of a skull fracture. Depressed skull fracture is common after blunt trauma to the head (i.e., direct blow with a hammer or any other hard object).

Individuals with depressed skull fracture are at the increased risk of developing brain infection, as the brain tissue may be directly exposed to the outside environment. As such, emergent management of the skull fracture, with removal of bone fragment and appropriate dressing of the skull wound, is pursued, typically...