Basilar skull fracture typically presents with which finding?

• A. Leakage of CSF from the nose or ears
• B. Increased hair growth
• C. Improved balance
• D. Clear nasal discharge

Answer: (A)

Basilar skull fractures often tear the dura, allowing cerebrospinal fluid to escape into surrounding spaces. This creates CSF leakage that can present as rhinorrhea (from the nose) or otorrhea (from the ears). The leakage is a direct and typical sign of skull-base injury, making it the best choice. While clear nasal discharge can occur for other reasons (like allergies), persistent CSF leakage specifically points to a basilar skull fracture. The other options don’t fit because they don’t reflect the injury mechanism or common signs: hair growth isn’t related, balance wouldn’t improve after a head injury, and simple clear discharge doesn’t identify CSF leakage through the skull base.