Temporal bone fractures are a common lesion of the base of the skull. The diagnosis and management of temporal bone fractures require a multidisciplinary approach. Variable clinical presentations may arise from such fractures, ranging from an asymptomatic course to very serious consequences. The aim of this study was to report our experience with a series of patients with temporal bone fractures and to propose a diagnostic/therapeutic algorithm. This study enrolled 141 patients, 96 (68.1%) males and 45 (31.9%) females, ranging in age from 20 to 60 (average age: 39 ± 4.1 years), with temporal bone fractures who were referred to Cardarelli Hospital between 2006 and 2018. The present paper presents a classification of temporal bone fractures and typical clinical sequelae and provides an illustration of their prognosis and treatment.
Keywords: cerebrospinal fluid leakage; facial nerve paralysis; otosurgery; skull base; temporal bone fractures.