Question

If a single fracture involves both the skull vault and base, What fracture should be coded?

1) Skull fracture
2) Base fracture
3) Combined fracture
4) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

A single fracture involving both the skull vault and base should be coded as a combined fracture.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a single fracture involves both the skull vault and base, it should be coded as a combined fracture. This means that there is a fracture that affects both the top of the skull (vault) and the base. It is important to note that a combined fracture can result from a strong blow to the brain-case portion of the skull, which can produce different types of fractures such as linear, comminuted, depressed, or contrecoup fractures.