Skull - Pathology

• linear fx

• depressed fx

• basilar skull fx

types of cerebral cranial fractures

pituitary adenoma

benign tumor, can destroy sella turcica

paget’s disease

osteolytic/blastic dx, causing thickened cortex with cotton wool appearance (additive disease)

multiple myeloma

bone marrow cancer usually >60 yrs, diffuse osteoporosis with punched out lytic areas

masoiditis

inflammation/infection of mastoid air cells

acoustic neuroma (schwannoma)

benign Schwann cell tumor of CN VIII

otosclerosis

hardening of the ossicles, loss of hearing

visceral cranial fx

usually caused by a direct blow; CT imaging modality of choice

tripof fx

involve the zygoma at its 4 processes & usually from direct impact to the zygoma and the zygomatic arch

blowout

________ fx of floor of medial wall of the orbit but the rim remains intact - “teardrop sign”

lefort

fractures are maxillary and pterygoid plate fractures that separate the face from the skull (“floating face”) usually from high energy direct blows to the face (dashboard or steering wheel) - there are several categories

calcified pineal gland

normal anomaly

sinusitis

inflammation of the sinuses

TMJ syndrome

pain, tenderness of jaw, joint locking, difficulty opening mouth

ventriculoperitoneal

VP shunt

hydrocephalus

what is a VP shunt for