injuries poisoning
Temporal Bone Fractures
Key Points
Temporal bone fracture can cause blood coming from the ear, blood behind the tympanic membrane, hearing loss, vestibular dysfunction, and/or facial nerve paralysis. Do CT with attention to the temporal bone, refer patients for audiometry, and, if facial nerve paralysis is suspected, arrange electrical testing of the facial nerve. Direct treatment toward management of facial nerve injury, hearing loss, vestibular dysfunction, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. 