What type of injury might present with "battle signs"?

Battle signs are indicative of specific types of head injuries, particularly those involving significant trauma such as a basilar skull fracture. These signs are characterized by bruising or discoloration behind the ears and over the mastoid process, which occurs due to blood accumulating in the soft tissues resulting from a fracture at the base of the skull. This type of injury is associated with the potential for serious complications, including cerebrospinal fluid leaks and damage to the brainstem or cranial nerves.

In contrast, concussion from a minor head injury typically presents with symptoms like confusion, headache, or dizziness but does not lead to the same external physical signs. A simple nasal fracture may result in swelling or bruising in the nasal region, but would not typically produce battle signs. Similarly, spinal cord injuries primarily involve neurological deficits or symptoms related to the spinal cord itself, but do not produce external signs such as those seen with a basilar skull fracture.