While it might be possible to include under the heading of acute traumatism of the frontal sinuses such irritations and infective conditions as may occur following the sudden entrance of water or other fluid through the nasofrontal duct in diving, shipwreck and similar accidents, this review will be limited to such damage as may result from external and violent means causing bruises, fractures and dislocations of the frontal bone.
Fractures of the frontal bone, above all other breaks in facial bones, are beset with special danger because of the intimate relations of a cavity directly communicating with the airways of the nose with the dura, the frontal lobes of the brain, the olfactory nerves and bulb and the superior longitudinal sinus. While the superciliary arches when heavy afford protection, acting somewhat as do the malar bones with respect to the maxillary antrums, they may, on the application of sudden external