1. Forty-nine (8.6 per cent) fractures were roentgenologically detected in 570 patients who had head trauma. Most are in the vault and linear in type. 2. Detection, location and type of fracture have no correlation with symptoms and physical findings. 3. The mere presence of a fracture affected treatment in only 2 instances, 1 a foreign body and the other a depressed fracture. 4. Detection of fracture increases hospitalization, but does not influence treatment afterwards. 5. Skull fractures are an insignificant manifestation of trauma and need not be detected, unless there is a reasonable possibility of depressed fragments. 6. Criteria for roentgenography and surgery of depressed skull fracture need to be re-evaluated. 7. Foreign body is a valid medical indication for skull roentgenography. 8. Medico-legal reasons for skull roentgenography simply to detect fractures are not valid.