Temporal bone fracture following blunt trauma caused by a flying fish

J Laryngol Otol. 1998 Oct;112(10):959-61. doi: 10.1017/s0022215100142185.

Abstract

Blunt trauma to the temporal region can cause fracture of the skull base, loss of hearing, vestibular symptoms and otorrhoea. The most common causes of blunt trauma to the ear and surrounding area are motor vehicle accidents, violent encounters, and sports-related accidents. We present an obscure case of a man who was struck in the ear by a flying fish while wading in the sea with resulting temporal bone fracture, sudden deafness, vertigo, cerebrospinal fluid otorrhoea, and pneumocephalus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / etiology
  • Fishes*
  • Hearing Loss, Sudden / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningitis / etiology
  • Pneumocephalus / etiology
  • Skull Fractures / complications*
  • Temporal Bone / injuries*
  • Vertigo / etiology
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications