Fratura de osso temporal em pacientes com traumatismo cranio-encefálico

introduction: the fractures in the temporal bone are lesions that are observed in patients with traumatic brain injury (tbi). the computed tomography of high-resolution (ct) allows evaluating the fracture and the complications. objective: evaluate patients with tbi and temporal bone fracture. way of study: retrospective study. method: were evaluated 28 patients interned by tbi with clinical evidence and/or radiologic from temporal bone fractures. results: the age ranged from 3 to 75 years. the most affected side was the right side 50% (n=14), left side 36% (n=10) and both sides 14% (n=4). the etiology of the trauma was the falling 25% (n=7), accidents with motorcycles and bicycles 21% (n=6), physical aggression 14% (n=4), running over 11% (n=3), fall of object 4% (n=1) and other causes 25% (n=7). the clinical signs were: otorrhagia 78%, otalgia 11% (n=3), otorrhea 7% (n=2), facial paralysis 7% (n=2) and hearing loss 7% (n=2). the otoscopic findings: otorrhagia 57% (n=16), laceration of external auditory canal 36% (n=10), hemotympanum 11% (n=3), normal 7% (n=2) and battle signal 7% (n=2). the findings for ct of skull were: with no alterations 54% (n=15) and temporal fracture 7% (n=2) and the ct of temporal bones were: line of fracture 71% (n=20), opacification of the mastoid 25% (n=7), glenoid cavity air 14% (n=1), dislocation of the ossicular chain 7% (n=2) and veiling of the middle ear 4% (n=1). conclusion: patients with tbi must be submitted to the otorhinolaryngological evaluation and imaging, for the early diagnosis of the complications and treatment.