A linear fracture at the temporal-parietal area can lead to what complication?

• A. Subdural hematoma
• B. Intracerebral hemorrhage
• C. Epidural bleeding from the middle cerebral artery
• D. Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Answer: (C)

A fracture through the temporal region can disrupt the middle meningeal artery, which runs along the inner surface of the temporal bone beneath the pterion. When this artery is torn, blood rapidly accumulates between the skull and the dura, causing an epidural hematoma. This type of bleed is typically arterial, tends to expand quickly, and can produce a characteristic pattern of brief loss of consciousness followed by a lucid interval before rapid deterioration. The other options describe bleeds that are not classically caused by a temporal–parietal bone fracture: subdural hematoma results from tearing of bridging veins and often has a slower onset; intracerebral hemorrhage is bleeding within brain tissue itself from contusions or vessel injury; subarachnoid hemorrhage involves bleeding into the space around the brain, usually from aneurysmal rupture or severe trauma, not specifically the consequence of a fracture tearing the middle meningeal artery.