In a head injury, which type of sign would indicate potential brain herniation?

Fluid drainage from the nose can indicate potential brain herniation. This is particularly significant when the fluid is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which may escape through the nose or ears in cases of skull base fractures that occur due to head trauma. The presence of CSF is a critical finding, as it suggests damage to the protective membranes surrounding the brain, increasing the likelihood of herniation, which occurs when brain tissue is displaced due to increased intracranial pressure or other traumatic events.

Other symptoms like ringing in the ears, loss of coordination, or sudden fever, while they may be observed in head-injured patients, do not specifically indicate brain herniation. Ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, can occur due to a variety of reasons unrelated to herniation. Loss of coordination may suggest other neurological issues but is not a clear sign of herniation. Sudden fever could indicate infection or other complications but does not directly relate to brain herniation.

Thus, the presence of fluid drainage from the nose is the most direct indicator of potential complications related to serious head injuries, including brain herniation.