Introduction A patient’s sense of “balance” is a complex, dynamic phenomenon that integrates information from the visual, peripheral vestibular, and somatosensory systems. The vestibular system is comprised of both peripheral…
Overview Otic barotrauma (OBT) is traumatic injury of the middle ear and tympanic membrane resulting from a high-pressure differential existing between the middle ear and external environment. In common daily…
Introduction Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can occur when a defect of the skull base and dura results in an abnormal communication between the subarachnoid space and nasal or middle…
Background Temporal bone trauma accounts for 5% of all facial palsy cases , and 3% of all bilateral facial palsy. Only 7% of temporal bone fractures result in facial palsy…
Introduction Head trauma has been cited as the most frequent clinical presentation in the emergency department. According to a 2013 survey by American College of Surgeons, nearly 800 trauma admissions…
Introduction Head injury is a major source of disability and mortality worldwide. The CDC reports that in 2017 there were 224,000 head injury-related hospitalizations in the United States. Unintentional falls…
Introduction The lateral skull base is comprised predominantly of the dense, pyramid-shaped petrous temporal bone. Fractures of the petrous temporal bone comprise approximately 20% of all skull fractures. Given the…
Since the 20th century, the term “labyrinthine concussion” or “inner ear concussion” has been used to describe sensorineural hearing loss following head trauma in the absence of temporal bone fracture…
Introduction Temporal bone fractures (TBFs) present complex diagnostic and management challenges. Due to the large amount of force required to fracture the temporal bone, several other injuries may also be…
Introduction Damage to the ear is the most common organ injury after exposure to blast overpressure (BOP). A blast injury occurs due to a rapid overpressurization force to the body….
