Temporal bone region is a complex anatomic region that contains a number of critical structures. Temporal bone trauma is a frequent complication of high-energy blunt head trauma. Multidetector computed tomography (CT) plays a major role in the initial evaluation of patients with polytrauma in the emergency and radiologists should be aware to identify temporal bone fractures and their complications. The aim of this study is to remind the normal anatomy of the temporal bone, its fracture patterns and classifications and to list items to analyze...

Our study was retrospective including 36 patients admitted for temporal bone trauma at Habib Thameur Hospital in Tunis, Tunisia between 2013 and 2014. A CT was performed for all patients: routine head multidetector CT was performed in patients with polytrauma in emergency for 24 patients whereas dedicated temporal bone multidetector CT was performed in 12 patients that had isolated temporal bone trauma. High-resolution CT was performed on a 64-section spiral CT scanner (Toshiba Aquilion 64 CT scanner). The studies were performed with the following parameters:...

The average age of patients was 34 years, ranging from 12 to 63; a male predominance was noted (sex-ratio 34/2). The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle crashes in 29 cases (corresponding to 80, 5 % of cases), followed by assaults in 5 cases (corresponding to 13, 9%) and work accidents in 2 cases (corresponding to 5, 6%). Associated intracranial injuries have been noted in 21 patients, corresponding to 60% of cases, of varying severity. It was subarachnoid hemorrhage in 16 cases, subdural...

Computed tomography (CT) plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of patients with temporal bone trauma. The most common mechanism of injury is motor vehicle crashes followed by falls and assaults. Fractures of the temporal bone are common in patients with severe head trauma associated to skull base fractures. Patients with temporal bone trauma also frequently have critical intracranial associated lesions such as subarachnoid, subdural, and epidural hemorrhage; brain contusions; and cerebral edema. The clinical signs and symptoms of temporal bone fracture include hemorrhagic otorrhea,...

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