Pediatric temporal bone fractures in a rural population

OBJECTIVE. To examine pediatric temporal bone fractures in a rural population. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective chart review of pediatric temporal bone fractures between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2000, at a rural academic medical center. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients were identified. Common etiologies include falls, bicycle-related injuries, and motor vehicle accidents. Animal-related injuries were identified primarily in patients under 5. Facial nerve injuries were noted in 7%, hearing loss in 16%, additional skull base fractures in 65%, and intracranial injuries in 75%. CONCLUSIONS: Temporal bone fracture etiology in the rural pediatric population is associated with age. Young children may suffer fractures secondary to animal-related accidents. Patterns of injury differ little between rural and urban settings. SIGNIFICANCE. Animal-related accidents may be a significant cause of temporal bone trauma in rural young children. Our data remain unique in that we report additional skull base fractures as well as intracranial injuries in this population.