Raccoon Eyes are indicative of which type of injury?

Raccoon eyes, also known as periorbital ecchymosis, refer to the bruising around the eyes that occurs due to bleeding underneath the skin in that area. This symptom is particularly indicative of a skull fracture, especially when the fracture involves the base of the skull. The mechanism behind this phenomenon is that the injury allows blood to escape from the deeper structures of the skull and settle around the orbits.

This kind of bruising typically appears hours after the initial injury, which further points to its association with significant head trauma rather than other types of injuries. In contrast, cervical spine injuries, pulmonary embolisms, and collapsed lungs do not present with raccoon eyes, making them less relevant in the context of recognizing head injuries. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for EMTs in assessing the type and severity of head trauma.