A head injury with a skull fracture detected on evaluation indicates a high risk for which complication if not treated?

• A. Brain injury
• B. Stroke
• C. Heart attack
• D. Kidney injury

Answer: (A)

When head trauma includes a skull fracture, the injury isn’t limited to the bone—the brain beneath the fracture is at risk too. The fracture can be associated with underlying brain contusion, and with intracranial bleeding such as epidural or subdural hematomas. If not treated, bleeding or swelling inside the skull can raise intracranial pressure, reduce cerebral perfusion, and lead to brain injury, coma, or death. Other options like heart attack, kidney injury, or a stroke aren’t direct consequences of a skull fracture in the same immediate way, so the most likely and clinically relevant complication is brain injury. Prompt imaging and neurological monitoring are essential to detect and treat any intracranial bleeding or edema.