Battle sign is classically associated with which type of injury?

Battle sign is classically associated with which type of injury?

• A. Basilar skull fracture
• B. Linear skull fracture
• C. Frontal bone fracture
• D. Mandibular fracture

Answer: (A)

Battle sign points to a basilar skull fracture. When the base of the skull is fractured, blood can track into the mastoid area behind the ear, causing bruising that appears there days after the injury. It’s a late sign and often accompanies other indicators of basilar fracture, such as CSF leakage from the ear or nose and sometimes bruising around the eyes. Other skull fractures involve different areas of the skull and don’t typically produce this behind-the-ear bruising, so they’re less likely to present with Battle sign.

Battle sign points to a basilar skull fracture. When the base of the skull is fractured, blood can track into the mastoid area behind the ear, causing bruising that appears there days after the injury. It’s a late sign and often accompanies other indicators of basilar fracture, such as CSF leakage from the ear or nose and sometimes bruising around the eyes.

Other skull fractures involve different areas of the skull and don’t typically produce this behind-the-ear bruising, so they’re less likely to present with Battle sign.