외상성 측두골 골절의 임상적 고찰

Background and Objectives: Temporal bone fracture secondary to head trauma is often not evaluated initially in the emergency room, resulting in various otologic and neurologic sequelaes such as deafoess, dysequilibrium, and facial paralysis. This study analyzed the clinical findings of 83 temporal bone fractures to establish an optimal evaluation and management criteria to reduce such serious sequelaes. Materials and Methods: The medical records and radiographs of 83 patients with temporal bone fracture from February 1994 to August 1998 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Of 83 temporal bone factures, hearing loss in 34 cases (41%), vertigo in 2 cases (2.4%), facial paresis/paralysis in 17 cases (20.5%), and cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea in 8 cases (9.6%) were noticed at initial evaluation. Of 34 cases of hearing loss, 14 returned to normal hearing with medical treatment. Of 17 facial paresis/paralysis, 6 were evaluated after the nerve had lost electric responsiveness and 3 of them presented poor facial nerve function after 1 year. All 8 cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea stopped spontaneously. Conclusion: All patients with head trauma should be evaluated otologically at initial visit to emergency room to prevent permanent facial weakness. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2000;11:46–52)