Temporal Bone Fractures after Trauma: A Prospective Analysis of Presentation, Management, and Outcomes

AbstractTo comprehensively understand the manifestation, treatments, and resultant consequences of temporal bone fractures, given their substantial impact on auditory and balance systems and the overall quality of life. A prospective study, adhering to the STROBE guidelines, spanning five years (2011 –2015) was conducted on 83 male patients aged between 20 and 54 years, diagnosed with temporal bone fractures primarily caused by road traffic accidents. Evaluations comprised symptom presentation, otologic manifestations, radiological classifications, and management strategies, including both con servative and surgical interventions. Our study found that patients commonly presented with symptoms such as Oto-haematorrhoea, hearing impairment, and vertigo. Specifically, longitudinal fractures were the most frequent radiological finding, occurring in 63 cases (p <  0.001 for road traffic accidents). In terms of treatment outcomes, there was a notable improvement in the average hearing threshold, decreasing from 50 dB to 25 dB post-treatment (p <  0.001), and the air-bone gap reduced from 30 dB to 10 dB (p <  0.001). Audiometric outcomes varied significantly with fracture type, showing severe hearing loss was more common in transverse fractures (50%,p <  0.001) compared to longitudinal and mixed fractures. Additionally, the study revealed a significant reduction in the incidence of post-trauma vertigo over eight weeks (p <  0.001), underscoring t...
Source: Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research