Ethan Asks:

I’m looking for the Goldilocks of skull fractures. My main character is a college age male that got into a fight. I’ve tried doing my own research but I’m second-guessing myself on which part of the skull to hit. I’m looking for a crack (not a shatter), minimal blood loss, he stays conscious for ten minutes or so, and a hospital stay of about five to seven days. I’m guessing there’s no way to avoid a concussion, as long as there’s no permanent brain damage I can work with it. Is such a skull fracture possible? If so, where on the skull?

Jordyn Says:

Yes, there is such a skull fracture that I think would fit your scenario perfectly.

In a small amount of cases, patients who receive an injury to the side of their head causing a fracture of the temporal bone can tear their middle meningeal artery causing an epidural bleed.

An epidural bleed/hematoma is considered a neurological emergency. Most of these patients will require surgery to save their lives. With epidural hematomas, the patient can have an initial loss of consciousness followed by a distinctive lucid period, and then worsening neurological status after that.

This article gives a nice overview of the condition and treatment for epidural hematomas. Also, this is a good article as well.

Hope this helps and best of luck with your story!