Raccoon Eyes describe what kind of sign?

• A. Raccoon Eyes
• B. Battle Sign
• C. Cushing Triad
• D. Decorticate Posturing

Answer: (A)

Raccoon Eyes is a sign of basal skull fracture. The bruising around the eyes—periorbital ecchymosis—occurs when blood from a fracture at the skull base tracks into the soft tissues around the orbits. This finding can appear with basal skull injuries and may show up immediately or after some delay.

It helps to distinguish it from other signs tied to head injury. Battle sign is bruising behind the ear (mastoid area) and also points to a basal skull fracture, but it’s a different location. Cushing triad—high blood pressure with slow heart rate and irregular breathing—reflects increased intracranial pressure rather than a local facial sign. Decorticate posturing is a abnormal limb posture indicating severe brain injury, not a facial fracture sign.

So, raccoon eyes specifically indicate a basal skull fracture through periorbital bruising.