Battle's sign

Related people

Sign suggesting fracture of the base of the skull.

Description

Sign suggesting fracture of the base of the skull, fractura basis cranii. The presence of blood accumulating beneath the fascia, producing discoloration at the tip of the mastoid, indicative of fracture of the posterior cranial fossa.

Bibliography

  • W. H. Battle:
    Intestinal obstruction coming on four years after the operation of ovariotomy.
    The Lancet, 1883, 1: 818-819
  • W. H. Battle:
    Three lectures on some points relating to injuries to the head.
    The Lancet, 1890, 1: 57-63.
  • Lawrence A. May:
    Classic Descriptions of Physical Signs in Medicine.
    "Some points relating to injuries to the head" pages 199-226.
    Dabor Science Publications, New York, 1977.
  • H. Ellis:
    Adhesions: the early history.
    Hospital Medicine, London, June 2004, 65 (6): 328-329.
We thank Alexis Davis, USA, and Taufiek Konrad Rajab, UK, for information submitted.

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