Raccoon Eyes: Understanding Basilar Skull Fracture Signs

Periorbital ecchymosis, commonly known as "raccoon eyes", is a sign of a basilar skull fracture. It is caused by blood leaking from a damaged middle cranial fossa into the surrounding soft tissues. Raccoon eyes are typically seen in association with other signs of a basilar skull fracture, such as Battle's sign (ecchymosis behind the ear) and hemotympanum (blood in the middle ear).