Final answer:
Orbital blowout fractures can cause serious symptoms like double vision and numbness, and are often the result of direct impact to the orbital bone. Basilar skull fractures are life-threatening due to potential brain injury and damage to major arteries. Immediate medical attention is critical for these conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The signs and symptoms of an orbital blowout fracture may include double vision, decreased eye movement, swelling and bruising around the eyes, flatness of the cheek, and numbness in the cheek, upper lip, and upper teeth on the affected side. This type of fracture occurs when there is a direct impact to the orbital bone, causing a break in the walls or floor of the orbit. These fractures are particularly concerning because they can lead to tissue entrapment and subsequent eye muscle damage, as well as potentially affecting other structures such as the optic nerve, leading to vision problems.
Bleeding and injury to the brain can occur from fractures to the skull, such as in a basilar skull fracture, which involves a break in the bone at the base of the skull. This type of fracture is life-threatening due to the possible damage to arteries, such as the artery that runs through the carotid canal, and the potential for subsequent brain injury. Prompt medical evaluation and treatment are essential for anyone suspected of having a facial or skull fracture.