Otorhinolaryngological aspects of temporal bone fractures

Traumatic temporal bone injury can have significant consequences, and knowledge of the relevant anatomy, pathophysiology of the injury, and early referral to specialists is crucial for successful recovery and rehabilitation of these patients. The traditional classification of temporal bone fractures includes longitudinal, transverse, combined, and anterior skull base fractures. The most common complications of temporal bone fractures are damage to the facial nerve, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and hearing loss. Symptoms include dizziness, nystagmus toward the intact temporal bone, and mixed hearing loss on the affected side. The manifestation of traumatic facial nerve injury is paresis and/or paralysis of the facial muscles. This symptom occurs in 30 50% of cases in transverse temporal bone fracture, and in 10 25% of cases in longitudinal temporal bone fracture. Untimely diagnosis of concomitant disease in relation to the underlying disease may lead to longer and more costly treatment and rehabilitation of the patient in the future. We present a review and describe a clinical case of neurotrauma resulting from temporal bone fracture from an otorhinolaryngologic point of view. The main symptoms are described, and a clinical case of surgical treatment of a closed compression fracture of the temporal bone with dislocation and facial nerve injury is presented.

Key words: temporal bone fracture, cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea, cochleovestibular symptoms, facial nerve, auditory ossicular chain
Conflicts of interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding. There was no funding for this study