Challenges in Cranial Trauma Surgery Cranial Base Fractures, A Case Report
Abstract:
Cranial base fractures are complex injuries that pose a significant challenge in neurotrauma ology due to severe complications that might follow, such as cranial nerve damage or cerebrospinal fluid leaks. The case of a 45-year old female patient who sustained multiple traumatic injuries, including fractures of the right parietal and temporal bones, a posterior cranial fossa base fracture with scattered mastoid bony fragments, subarachnoid and subdural hemorrhages, pneumocephalus, a facial nerve lesion and serial rib fractures, is presented. The patient's recovery was prolonged and complicated by an unexpected course of her pre-existing conditions. Initially, urgent surgery was performed to address the subdural hemorrhage and bony fragments, followed by conservative treatment. De spite multiple follow-up surgeries to manage persistent nasal congestion, a sense of ear fullness and pain as well as difficulties with compensation, significant symptom relief was only achieved after addressing concomitant septal deformity and chronic inflammation with septoplasty. The aim of this case report is to highlight the importance of considering concomitant diseases during the healing process, as overlapping symptoms can mislead clinicians and complicate posttraumatic management.
