Getting into a crash will often lead to injury, with some places having a higher susceptibility to injury than others. This includes the head, neck and back. In particular, head injuries often occur and result in damage to the brain or skull.
When you fracture your skull, different internal injuries may occur that one cannot necessarily see on the outside, but the damage is still severe.
Cerebrospinal fluid leaks
According to Merck Manual, you should act quickly in the event of a skull fracture. When you fracture your skull, several things can happen. First, you may actually risk damaging the brain itself. After all, nothing separates the skull from the brain. If the skull ends up fractured or severely damaged, it is possible for parts of the damaged bone to further harm the soft tissue of the brain.
Skull fractures can also lead to the leaking of cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid surrounds the exterior of the brain, providing nutrients and creating an additional layer of cushioning to prevent shock and damage in the event of whiplash and blows to the head. It provides shock absorption for the central nervous system and also carries chemicals and waste out of the brain. If you see a clear fluid leak from the nose or ears, it is likely cerebrospinal fluid, which indicates a high level of a medical emergency.
Traumatic brain injuries
Finally, brain injury will likely occur alongside skull fractures. After all, it takes a lot of speed or weight to break the skull. This means a victim will deal with potential traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the related impact alongside any other damage from the fracture itself, resulting in an even more serious wound that needs quick medical care.
