Consequences of fracture of the base of the skull: paresis and paralysis, convulsive seizures, encephalopathy, hypertension

Pain in the nape, at the base of the skull, may indicate that the patient is experiencing a fracture in this area. Such a trauma is considered very dangerous and can lead to terrible consequences. The degree of their severity depends on how strong the damage was, and also from the time gap to the care of medical staff.

Types of injuries

The consequences of fracture of the base of the skull can be rapid or will not be felt immediately. The first manifest themselves after a few hours (sometimes days). They arise as a result of complications of trauma. But the latter can visit the patient a few months or even years after recovery.

Very often complications occur as a result of such trauma:

- pieces of bone fell into the brain tissue;

- fracture has a dented or comminuted shape.

The simplest and quick-healing fracture of the skull base is linear. Usually after its cure, negative consequences are not detected. But it all depends on how much the brain is squeezed and whether the intracerebral hematoma is formed.

Infectious processes

The consequences of fracture of the base of the skull, manifested immediately, can be expressed through infections. Breach of the skin and bones of the skull can cause harmful microorganisms to enter the brain, which will lead to the formation of infectious processes. As a result - meningitis, encephalitis and other inflammatory diseases.

But all this can be avoided if the first medical aid is correctly provided. Be sure to apply an antibacterial bandage to the damaged area and wait for an ambulance. And already in a hospital, the wound will be properly treated, the antibiotics will be syringed and injected.

Intracerebral hematomas

Most often, fracture of the cranial base occurs as a result of falling from a great height or strong blows to the head. As a result, the patient has a concussion of the brain and rupture of blood vessels. Such damage is an excellent pretext for the formation of hematomas, which can be of a variety of sizes. Such formations press on the brain and violate its work.

Small hematomas usually resolve themselves. But with more serious damage can not do without surgery. In this case, trepanation of the skull is done and harmful damage is absorbed.

To determine whether there are hematomas, it is possible due to computer or magnetic resonance imaging or by making an X-ray.

Damage to the medulla

When the base of the skull is fractured, bone fragments often form, which damage the brain substance. From what areas of the brain are damaged, and the patient's further well-being depends. For example, a person may lose sight, hearing, sensitivity or the ability to breathe on their own.

Such injuries occur during an injury, so you can not do anything immediately (try not to provide first aid yourself).

A comminuted fracture should be operated in the neurosurgical department. In this case, involve the most experienced specialists, since the injury is classified as the most difficult and dangerous.

Remote complications

The long-term consequences of fracture of the base of the skull come in an indefinite period of time. However, the most frequent cases are from several months to five years after the patient was discharged from the hospital without visible signs of complications. Such complications are usually caused by the fact that the neural tissue is not fully restored or the scars formed at the site of the fracture. These phenomena lead to the squeezing of vessels and nervous tissues, which are responsible for nutrition and respiration of brain structures.

Paralysis and paresis

Such consequences arise as a result of traumas of separate brain zones, which perceive the reflex signals of the spinal cord. Paresis and paralysis can occur not only after a certain period, but also immediately after the injury. In this case, the essence of the treatment will be to restore the nerve conduction and blood supply to the brain.

Encephalopathy of the brain: what is it?

This disease manifests itself after damage to the cerebral cortex. Changes the structure of the brain tissue and reduces their functionality. It belongs to the group of non-inflammatory diseases. The disease destroys the neurons and reduces the size of the nervous tissue.

Encephalopathy of the brain (what it is, you can read in this article) already at early stages has such symptoms: fast fatigue, lethargy, drowsiness and impaired coordination of movements. However, such a diagnosis can be established only if the symptoms are present for more than six months. Treatment should be comprehensive, otherwise it will be very difficult to overcome the disease.

Posttraumatic epilepsy

Approximately twenty percent of the fractures of the base of the skull in patients have posttraumatic convulsive seizures, which can occur as a few days after the injury, and after a few months. Acquired disease does not differ from the congenital. However, do not forget that epilepsy is characterized not only by the presence of seizures, but also by impaired memory and various mental disorders. The course of treatment is chosen by a doctor, but basically it does not differ from the therapy of patients with congenital disease. Convulsive seizures can be minimized with the help of special medications and procedures.

Brain hypertension

The consequences of fracture of the base of the skull can lead to the development of cerebral hypertension. Arterial pressure is significantly increased, up to the point that a stroke occurs. In addition, hypertension, which was formed as a result of a fracture of the skull, is very difficult to cure.

Survival for skull fractures

The most important thing in the fracture of the base of the skull is how quickly the competent medical care was provided. There are cases when trauma is accompanied by internal bleeding or coma. In this case, the danger is very high and the injury threatens with disability or even death.

If the fracture is not accompanied by a displacement and significant cracks, then such injuries are quickly cured and very rarely after them there are negative consequences.

Symptoms and signs of fracture

Symptoms of a fracture depend on the degree of its severity. But nevertheless it is possible to single out common signs:

- Severe headaches that occur due to cerebral edema.

- Vomiting for no apparent reason.

- Pain in the nape, at the base of the skull.

- The pupils acquire a different diameter and refuse to respond to light.

- Violation of the worldview and coordination, loss of consciousness.

- Breathless.

- Dysplasia of the heart. The pulse is either too fast or slow.

- Extreme agitation or, conversely, immobility.

When the base of the skull is fractured, the visual and olfactory nerves are very often affected . A comminuted fracture can be accompanied by rupture of the medulla. The brain becomes open, so there is a risk of infection. If blood vessels are broken, hematomas can form.

First Aid

If there is a suspicion of a fracture of the base of the skull, then immediately it is necessary to call an ambulance. If the injured person has not lost consciousness, then put it on a flat surface, on your back (you can not put a pillow under your head). Obezdvizhte your head, and fix it. If there is an open wound, put on it an antiseptic bandage that will prevent the ingress of harmful microorganisms. If there is no possibility of a quick hospitalization, you can apply dry ice to your head. If problems with breathing are not found, give the patient pain medications.

If he lost consciousness, put him on his back in a half-turn. Turn your head to the side. This should be done in case the patient starts vomiting. Tighten better clothes. Remove all jewelry and glasses. To fix the body, make a platen from the blanket and place it under the trunk on one side.

Conservative treatment

If the fracture has an easy or average degree of complexity, then it can be cured by conservative methods, that is, without surgery. The patient must necessarily comply with bed rest. In this case, the head should lie in a slightly elevated state. Treatment is carried out with the help of special medications. Sports activities and other physical activity will have to be postponed for about six months. The injured person should regularly undergo examinations from the oculist, neurologist, traumatologist and otorhinolaryngologist.

Do not forget that there is a risk of formation of intracranial purulent lesions. In this case, it is necessary to sanitize the ears, oral cavity and nasopharynx with antibiotics.

Surgical intervention

Operations are done in such cases:

- A fragmentation fracture was found.

- The structures of the brain are damaged or squashed.

- Formation of large hematomas.

- Repeated purulent complications.

The operation is done in the event of a threat to human life. The skull is opened, after which all bone defects are closed with a special plate. After such procedures, a long period of rehabilitation will follow.

According to research data, the consequences after fractures of the base of the skull may be revealed at any time after rehabilitation. However, the more time has passed, the less the risk of negative consequences. In due course their sharpness also decreases.

A child injured by a skull will cope with it much faster than an adult, as his body regenerates tissues much better.