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Temporal Bone Fracture

By

Sam P. Most

, MD, Stanford University Medical Center

Reviewed/Revised Dec 2021 | Modified Sep 2022
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Topic Resources
  • A temporal bone fracture may cause facial paralysis, hearing loss, bruising behind the ear, and bleeding from the ear.

  • Doctors use computed tomography (CT) to diagnose temporal bone fractures.

  • Treatment, sometimes including surgery, is needed if the fracture causes problems.

Temporal bone fractures can cause various injuries to the middle and inner ear. Injuries include rupture of the eardrum Eardrum Perforation A perforation is a hole in the eardrum. Eardrum perforations are caused by middle ear infections and injuries. Perforation causes sudden ear pain, sometimes with bleeding from the ear, hearing... read more Eardrum Perforation and damage to the ossicles (the chain of small bones that connects the eardrum to the inner ear), the cochlea (the organ of hearing), the vestibular apparatus (the organ of balance in the inner ear), or the nerve that controls muscles of the face (facial nerve).

Temporal Bone

The temporal bone is located on the sides and base of the skull. It surrounds and protects the ear canal, middle ear, and inner ear.

Temporal Bone

Symptoms of Temporal Bone Fracture

People have pain and often

  • Bleeding from the ear

  • Bleeding behind the eardrum

  • Bruising of the skin behind the ear

Other symptoms and complications vary depending on the exact location of the fracture.

Some people have facial paralysis on the side of the fracture. Facial paralysis can develop immediately or after some time and can be mild or severe.

Another symptom is severe hearing loss. Hearing loss Hearing Loss and Deafness may result from damage to the three tiny bones (called the ossicles) that connect the eardrum to the inner ear or from damage to the cochlea or the nerve that leads to the cochlea.

If the vestibular apparatus is damaged, people may feel as if they or their surroundings are spinning (vertigo) or have problems with balance.

Sometimes, fluid from around the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) leaks from the brain through the fracture and appears as clear fluid draining from the ear or nose. Leakage of this fluid indicates that the brain is exposed to possibly serious infection from bacteria in the ear canal.

Diagnosis of Temporal Bone Fracture

  • Computed tomography (CT)

  • Testing for damage to facial nerves and hearing

Doctors also may test the person's hearing and whether the face is paralyzed. If problems are found, further testing is usually done, such as detailed hearing testing Nerve conduction studies Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination. Imaging tests commonly used to diagnose nervous system (neurologic) disorders... read more Nerve conduction studies by an audiologist or electrodiagnostic testing of the nerve responsible for controlling facial movement.

Treatment of Temporal Bone Fracture

  • Treatment of symptoms as necessary

Treatment is necessary only if the fracture causes problems.

Treatment of facial paralysis

If facial paralysis is immediate and severe, surgery may be needed. If paralysis is mild or delayed, a corticosteroid drug given by mouth is typically prescribed.

Treatment of hearing loss

If hearing loss stems from damage to the ossicles, the ossicles are repaired surgically. Hearing loss that results from damage to the cochlea or its nerve is usually permanent.

Treatment of vertigo

If vertigo is caused by damage that cannot be repaired surgically, a benzodiazepine drug (usually used to treat anxiety) may provide some relief. People can sometimes learn to compensate for problems that vertigo causes (such as loss of balance) through a series of exercises called vestibular rehabilitation.

Treatment of cerebrospinal fluid leakage

People with leakage of cerebrospinal fluid should be hospitalized. If the leak does not stop on its own within a few days, surgery or insertion of a drain near the spinal cord in the lower back (lumbar drain) may be needed to prevent infection.

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