Battle's sign

In medical terminology, Battle's sign, also mastoid ecchymosis, is an indication of fracture of posterior cranial fossa of the skull, and may suggest underlying brain trauma. Battle's sign consists of bruising over the mastoid process, as a result of extravasation of blood along the path of the posterior auricular artery. The sign is named after William Henry Battle. Note well that this sign will take at least one day to appear after the initial traumatic basilar skull fracture, similar to Raccoon eyes. Battle's sign is usually seen after head injuries resulting in injury to mastoid process leading to bruising.

Battle's sign may be confused with a spreading hematoma from a fracture of the mandibular condyle, which is a less serious injury.