Head

The examination of the head in the secondary trauma survey should cover the:

• scalp:
  • lacerations
  • boggy masses indicating a haematoma
• facial skeleton:
  • stability
  • missing teeth; consider aspiration
  • malocclusion; possibly indicative of facial fracture
• eyes:
  • penetrating injuries
  • visual acuity
  • presence of contact lenses
• ears:
  • compare hearing both sides
  • haematoma in need of evacuation
  • mastoid bruising; may indicate a basal skull fracture
  • CSF leak; again, a possible indication of basal skull fracture
• nose:
  • deformity
  • septal haematoma in need of evacuation
  • CSF leak
• mouth:
  • CSF leak or concealed posterior nasal haemorrhage
  • bitten tongue; consider fitting as a cause or consequence of the trauma