Temporal Bone Fracture Classification – Otic Sparing versus Otic Violating

Temporal bone fractures can be divided into:

  • Otic Sparing
  • Otic Violating
  • Otic Violating Fractures
    • 5 times more likely to have facial nerve injury
    • 8 times more likely to have CSF leak
    • 25 times more likely to have SNHL
    • No statistical difference in CHL between otic sparing versus otic violating

References:

Dahiya R, Keller JD, Litofsky NS, Bankey PE, Bonassar LJ, Megerian CA. Temporal bone fractures: otic capsule sparing versus otic capsule violating clinical and radiographic considerations. J Trauma. 1999;47(6):1079-83.

Little SC, Kesser BW. Radiographic classification of temporal bone fractures: clinical predictability using a new system. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006;132(12):1300-4.