J Korean Neurotraumatol Soc.  2005 Oct;1(1):114-117. 10.13004/jknts.2005.1.1.114.

Diagnostic Value of MRI at Basal Skull Fracture with Cranial Nerve Palsy: Two Case Report

• Lee DC
• Hyun DK
• Park CO
• Park HC
• Park HS
• Ha Y

• KMID: 2192321
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13004/jknts.2005.1.1.114

Abstract

Fractures of the skull base are said to occur in 4% with head trauma and account for 21% of all skull fractures. Basal skull fractures and the diagnostic value of head computed tomography are of particular interest, and there have been numerous reports on these fractures and their CT findings, but not on MRI. We present a case of basal skull fracture with multiple cranial nerve palsy, and especially the facial nerve swelling revealed on axial MRI, and another case with left internal carotid artery occlusion and left cerebellar infarction detected by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and MR angiography, treated with anticoagulation. Initial neurological and neuroradiological investigations should be aimed at promptly detecting cranial nerve injuries and their correlating fracture at the skull base. But confirmative diagnosis of the complications of basal skull fracture such as multiple cranial nerve injury and vascular injury using MRI is also necessary, to explain the clinical manifestation exactly and to give optimal management.

Keyword

Basal skull fracture; Cranial nerve injury; Carotid artery injury; Magnetic resonance imaging

MeSH Terms

Angiography
Carotid Artery Injuries
Carotid Artery, Internal
Cranial Nerve Diseases*
Cranial Nerve Injuries
Cranial Nerves*
Craniocerebral Trauma
Diagnosis
Facial Nerve
Head
Infarction
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Skull Base
Skull Fractures*
Skull*
Vascular System Injuries