Battle's sign
Battle's sign
Battle's sign (pronounced: /ˈbætəlz saɪn/), also known as Battle's ecchymosis, is a medical sign which indicates basilar skull fracture, or fracture of the base of the skull. It is named after William Henry Battle, a British surgeon who first described this sign in the late 19th century.
Etymology
The term "Battle's sign" is derived from the name of William Henry Battle, who first described the condition. The word "sign" in this context is used to denote a physical finding that indicates a particular medical condition.
Description
Battle's sign is characterized by bruising over the mastoid process, behind the ear. This bruising is a result of blood from a fractured skull seeping down into the soft tissues of the neck and face, causing a discoloration. It typically appears one to two days after the injury.
Related Terms
- Basilar skull fracture: A break in the bone at the base of the skull. Battle's sign is a physical indication of this type of injury.
- Mastoid process: The rounded projection of the temporal bone of the skull located behind the ear. The bruising in Battle's sign occurs over this area.
- Raccoon eyes: Another physical sign of basilar skull fracture, characterized by bruising around both eyes.
- Cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea: The leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the ear, which can occur with basilar skull fractures.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Battle's sign
- Wikipedia's article - Battle's sign
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