Understanding temporal bone fractures

ABSTRACT

The temporal bone is the most complex bone in the human body and a tremendous force is required to fracture the temporal bone. Temporal bone fractures secondary to blunt trauma typically occur along structurally weakened points and can injure many vital structures, including the cochlear and vestibular end organs and the facial nerve, carotid artery, and jugular vein either alone or in combination. With the advent of advanced imaging techniques there has been better understanding of the temporal bone fractures. One should remember that temporal bone fractures are one of the serious conditions after head injury and can be associated with devastating complication if not identified and managed properly