The head trauma involved in producing Battle Sign can include sports, car accidents, falling off a bike without a helmet, motorcycle accidents as well as falls. One of the differentiating factors regarding the presentation of Battle Sign is that it appears at an area not directly related to the sight of injury, like a traditional bruise. Following a head trauma, Battle Sign may take a few days to present. Due to its presentation, Battle Sign is often confused for a harmless bruise but, unlike a common bruise, it will not fade over time without other symptoms. Additional signs related to Battle Sign can also include but are not limited to: clear fluid draining from the nose and/or ears, headache, dizziness and blurred vision. Occasionally, individuals with Battle Sign may also present with “raccoon eyes” (i.e. One of the most apparent signs of a basilar skull fracture is the presence of distinct and severe bruising along the entire backside of the ears and possibly extending to the neck/cervical spine region.

Trauma resulting in fracture of the aforementioned structures can place neurological and vascular tissue in the area at risk for injury which is why this type of fracture is considered a medical emergency! Basilar skull fractures are considered not only one of the most common but also one of the most severe types of fracture to the human skull.

Fractures of the skull at its base can include fracture of the bone behind the ears, at the base of the nose/nasal area and close to the spine. “Battle Sign” is the result of a “basilar skull fracture” or “basal fracture” (i.e. “Battle Sign” is a visual sign from a severe trauma to the skull resulting in a fracture and should not be taken lightly!

Battle signs trauma