Lexie Hull: No CAT Scan

Lexie Hull suffered a head butt, resulting in two symmetric, well demarcated black eyes. There was no known eye trauma. A trainer inserted cotton in her nose for a “nosebleed.” There was no word on whether the “nosebleed” was tested to see whether it was indeed blood, or cerebro-spinal fluid leaking from a basal skull fracture.

Hull was reassured that she did not have a concussion or facial fracture. But that was not the chief worry. Raccoon eyes and fluid leaking from the nose or ears are classic signs of a basal skull fracture. This is a potentially serious injury requiring:
(1) Prompt diagnosis with a CAT scan, preferably with thin slices.
(2) Careful monitoring for developing neurological signs.
(3) Rest.
(4) Antibiotics. If fluid can get out, bacteria can get in.

Of course, if you did the CAT scan days later, you would be subject to criticism for failing to diagnose the basal skull fracture sooner. But if you don’t do a CAT scan at all, you never diagnose it, and you save money as well.

We shut up when Caitlin Clark was poked in the eye, had her ear drum ruptured, was kneed in the groin, and punched in the larynx.

We shut up when Sophie Cunningham was clipped, rupturing her MCL for a season-ending injury.

But if we see Lexie Hull with her raccoon eyes and still shut up, what does that say about us? Nothing good.

Women athletes like Hull have given up a great deal to reach this level of skill. They should not have to give up their health as well. Lexie is 6’2″ and one tough cookie. But if you can look at a woman, any woman, and not feel at least a trace of a protective instinct, you are not any kind of man I want to know.