ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 April 1980
Page Count: 7

“Typical” Basal Skull Fracture of Both Petrous Bones" An Unreliable Indicator of Head Impact Site
Jones, AM
Adjunct assistant professor of pathology and forensic neuropathologist; and assistant professor of pathology and associate medical investigator, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine,

Harvey, FH
Adjunct assistant professor of pathology and forensic neuropathologist; and assistant professor of pathology and associate medical investigator, The University of New Mexico School of Medicine,

(Received 7 July 1979; accepted 4 October 1979)

Abstract

A basilar skull fracture that extends along both petrous bones is generally considered to be a response to impacts to the lateral aspects of the head. This generalization is not warranted as such a fracture often results from impacts to any point around the base of the skull or to the chin. These facts were appreciated as long ago as 1905 but present-day literature does not adequately reflect them. Eight carefully selected autopsy cases of fatal blunt head injury with well-documented single head impact sites and bilateral petrous bone fractures are presented. They illustrate the variety of impact sites that may produce bilateral petrous bone skull fractures.

Keywords:
pathology and biology, musculoskeletal system, postmortem examinations

Paper ID: JFS12123J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12123J
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