CRIBIFORM PLATE FRACTURES

Course overview

A FRACTURE OF THE CRIBRIFORM PLATE IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS INJURY THAT CAN BE EASILY OVERLOOKED. WHEN PRESENT, IT IS INDICATIVE OF SEVERE HEAD OR FACIAL TRAUMA. FRACTURES OF THE CRIBRIFORM PLATE CAN BE ASSOCIATED WITH SEPTAL HEMATOMA, OLFACTORY DYSFUNCTION, CEREBRAL SPINAL FLUID LEAK, OR INFECTION, WHICH CAN PROGRESS TO MENINGITIS. AVOIDING POTENTIALLY HIGH MORBIDITY SEQUELA REQUIRES A HIGH INDEX OF SUSPICION AND PROMPT DIAGNOSIS. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CRIBRIFORM PLATE FRACTURES AND EXPLAINS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.