Battle's sign
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Battle's sign, also known as mastoid ecchymosis, is a late indication of fracture of middle cranial fossa of the skull, appearing as bruising over one or both of the mastoid processes at least one day after the injury.<ref name=":0" /> Such fractures can be associated with underlying brain trauma, as they appear as a result of extravasation of blood along the path of the posterior auricular artery.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The sign is named after William Henry Battle.<ref>Template:WhoNamedIt</ref>
Battle's sign is considered a late sign, as it takes at least one day to appear after the initial traumatic basilar skull fracture, similar to raccoon eyes.<ref name=":0">Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)</ref> Battle's sign may be confused with a spreading hematoma from a fracture of the mandibular condyle,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> which is a less serious injury.
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References
Template:Eponymous medical signs for nervous system Template:General injuries