Fractura con hundimiento de cráneo intrauterina espontánea: reporte de dos casos / Spontaneous intrauterine depressed skull fracture: report of two cases

Las fracturas con hundimiento de cráneo intrauterinas representan una entidad poco frecuente, generalmente secundaria a traumatismos (previos o durante el nacimiento) o de etiología desconocida. Suelen requerir evaluación y seguimiento por el servicio de Neurocirugía Pediátrica. A la fecha, es controversial la necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico y el momento oportuno para concretarlo. Se presentan dos casos clínicos de pacientes de término, nacidas porcesárea,condiagnósticoposnatalinmediatodehundimiento de cráneo de tipo ping-pong no traumático. Ambas pacientes presentaron examen neurológico normal. Se confirmó el diagnóstico a través de radiografía y tomografía de cráneo, sin observarse lesiones asociadas. Fueron valoradas por el servicio de Neurocirugía, que indicó corrección quirúrgica de la lesión en ambos casos, con buena evolución posterior.

Spontaneous intrauterine depressed skull fractures are a rare entity. They can appear secondarily to head trauma (before or during birth) or due to unknown etiology. They usually require a complete evaluation from pediatric neurosurgery specialists. Their optimal management, including timely surgical treatment remains controversial. We describe two cases delivered by cesarean section, with postnatal diagnosis of spontaneous intrauterine depressed skull fracture. Both had a normal neurological exam. A skull radiography and head CT were performed, and no associated lesions were found. Both cases required surgical correction, with positive results.

A simple and successful treatment for rupture and defect of the posterior third superior sagittal sinus caused by open depressed skull fracture: A case report / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

It is extremely dangerous to treat the posterior third of the superior sagittal sinus (PTSSS) surgically, since it is usually not completely ligated. In this report, the authors described the case of a 27-year-old man with a ruptured and defective PTSSS caused by an open depressed skull fracture, which was treated by ligation of the PTSSS and the patient achieved a positive recovery. The patient's occiput was hit by a height-limiting rod and was in a mild coma. A CT scan showed an open depressed skull fracture overlying the PTSSS and a diffuse brain swelling. He underwent emergency surgery. When the skull fragments were removed, a 4 cm segment of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and the adjacent dura mater were removed together with bone fragments. Haemorrhage occurred and blood pressure dropped. We completed the operation by ligating the severed ends of the fractured sagittal sinus. One month after the operation, apart from visual field defects, he recovered well. In our opinion, in primary hospitals, when patients with severely injured PTSSS cannot sustain a long-time and complicated operation, e.g., the bypass using venous graft, and face life-threatening conditions, ligation of the PTSSS is another option, which may unexpectedly achieve good results.

Use of Vacuum-suction in Depressed Skull Fractures ­ Case Report and Technical Nuances of Nonoperative Treatment

Up to 20% of victims from skull fractures are represented by the pediatric population, and 50% of these lesions are depressed skull fractures. The treatment is multimodal in nature, ranging from conservative treatment to open surgical repair. The last one is associated, although in a small proportion, to complications, such as infections, hematomas and even death, besides the risks of the anesthetic procedure itself. The authors of the present article present a case report of the successful treatment of a depressed skull fracture in a newborn patient, using the vacuum-suction technique. The use of vacuum-suction may be beneficial for the pediatric patients, as it is a quick, non-invasive procedure, without the need for general anesthesia.

Craneoplastía con implante de polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA)para corregir secuela de trauma. Reporte de caso / Craneoplasty with a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Implant to correct trauma sequel. A case report

Introducción: los defectos del cráneo y las anomalías del hueso craneofacial que requie-ren reconstrucción son comunes en una variedad de procedimientos neuroquirúrgicos. Después de una craniectomía o de fracturas craneofaciales posteriores a traumatismos cráneoencefálicos, los pacientes pueden desarrollar defectos cosméticos importantes. Algunos de estos son la depresión de la piel y un defecto de hundimiento que lleva a una apariencia asimétrica de la cabeza, sin dejar de lado las repercusiones físicas, neu-rológicas y psicológicas que estas lesiones conllevan. La reconstrucción craneofacial y la craneoplastía tienen una larga historia, pero las nuevas técnicas quirúrgicas y una multitud de opciones de materiales han impulsado recientemente el avance en esta área. Los implantes de polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA) han demostrado ser estables, bio-compatibles, no conductores, radiotransparentes y de bajo costo. Es así que se pueden colocar y modificar fácilmente, con lo que se elimina la morbilidad del sitio donante. Presentación del caso: en este artículo presentamos un caso de craneoplastía de defec-to frontal, posterior a traumatismo, cuya reconstrucción fue realizada mediante una prótesis de polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA) en el Hospital General Xoco de la Cuidad de México. Conclusión: se reporta la reducción del tiempo quirúrgico, además de un costo de la prótesis accesible para el paciente; de esta manera, se obtuvieron resultados sa-tisfactorios y mejoras en el contorno estético facial, en tanto se permitió cobertura y protección para el tejido encefálico.

Introduction: Skull defects and craniofacial bone abnormalities that require reconstruction are common in a variety of neurosurgical procedures. After craniectomy or craniofacial fractures following cranioencephalic trauma, patients can develop important cosmetic defects, such as depression of the skin and a sunken flap that can lead to an asymmetrical appearance of the head, without neglecting the physical and psychological repercussions. neurological that these injuries carry. Craniofacial reconstruction and cranioplasty have a long history, but new surgical techniques and a multitude of material options have recently fueled progress in this area. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) implants have proven to be stable, biocompatible, non-conductive, radiolucent, and inexpensive. They can be easily placed and modified and the morbidity of the donor site is eliminated. Clinical case: In this article, we present a case of frontal defect cranioplasty after trauma performed using a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) prosthesis at the General Hospital Xoco in Mexico City. Conslusion: The surgical time could be reduced, in addition to the cost of the prosthesis. It was accessible to the patient and obtained satisfactory results such as improvements in the facial aesthetic contour and obtained coverage and protection for the brain tissue.

Restoration of the Fronto-Orbital Buttress with Primary Bone Fragments / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: Forehead deformities are often caused by lack of treatment or incorrect restoration of the frontal buttress, so the underlying frontal buttress should be restored to its previous position to ensure that the previous forehead contour is restored in cases of complex depressed skull fractures. However, since brain injuries from skull fractures could have fatal consequences, the clinical concern in primary surgery has been to save the patient's life, and cosmetic concerns have always been secondary. We retrospectively reviewed fronto-orbital fracture patients who underwent primary restoration with primary bone fragments or an alloplastic implant and compared the surgical outcomes of autologous bone (group 1) and artificial materials (group 2). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 47 patients with fronto-orbital fractures between March 2012 and January 2018. The patients underwent primary reconstruction with primary bone fragments or an alloplastic implant. The surgical results were evaluated by the incidence of infection and cosmetic satisfaction of patients. RESULTS: Infections occurred in one patient (5%) in group 1 and in two patients (15.3%) in group 2, which was not a statistically significant difference. In contrast, at 6 months after surgery, patient satisfaction showed a statistically significant between-group difference (group 1: 4.32 points, group 2: 3.54 points, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Primary reconstruction using fractured bone fragments is an effective and preferable method that could result in better surgical outcomes than restoration using an alloplastic implant.

Impact of depressed skull fracture surgery on outcome of head injury patients

Objective: To assess outcomes in surgically managed patients with depressed skull fractures and associated moderate to severe head injury

Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from January 2016 to December 2017. We analyzed 90 patients with depressed skull fracture managed surgically from January 2015 to December 2016. The patients selected for this study belonged to all age groups with clinically palpable depressed skull fracture confirmed by CT brain with bone window. Outcome was assessed by Glasgow outcome score

Results: Total 90 patients were included in the study. Sixty [66.7%] were male and 30 [33.3%] were female with mean age of years 27.58+11.329. Among 90 patients, 38.8% were aged between 21 and 30 years. Road traffic accident was seen in 72 [80%] patients. The commonest site of fracture was frontal region in 50 patients [55.6%]. GCS improved post operatively on comparison to preoperative. Five patients expired

Conclusion: Depressed skull fracture is common neuro surgical issue. Timely surgical management gives excellent results by decreasing morbidity and mortality

Delayed Intracerebral Hemorrhage from a Pseudoaneurysm Following a Depressed Skull Fracture / 신경중재치료의학

A 26-year-old male presented with delayed intracerebral hemorrhage from a ruptured distal middle cerebral artery pseudoaneurysm that followed a compound depressed skull fracture from years ago. The brain protrusion through the skull defect likely resulted in stretching and subsequent tearing of the arterial wall resulting in the pseudoaneurysm formation. No prior report of such a clinical occurrence exists in the literature. We highlight an unusual but treatable cause for intracerebral hemorrhage following surgery for traumatic brain injury.

Etude epidemiologique; clinique et therapeutique des fractures embarrures du crane a propos de 72 cas dans le service de neurochirurgie du CHU Gabriel Toure

Introduction : Les fractures embarrures constituent des affections frequentes en neurochirurgie dont la gravite est liee aux lesions intracraniennes associees. Les objectifs de ce travail sont les suivants : decrire les caracteristiques epidemiologiques des fractures embarrures du crane; determiner les etiologies; decrire les signes cliniques; degager les complications et les sequelles et evaluer la prise en charge. Patients et Methodes : il s'agissait d'une etude retrospective descriptive portant sur 72 malades de janvier a decembre 2013 dans le service de neurochirurgie du CHU Gabriel Toure. La frequence etait de 14;7% avec une forte predominance masculine (93% des cas). Les jeunes de 16-25 ans etaient les plus touches soit 38;9%. Les AVP constituaient la principale etiologie avec 59;7% des cas. Le traitement neurochirurgical a ete effectue chez 25 patients soit 34;72% et la craniectomie a os perdu etait la technique la plus utilises (64% des cas operes). L'infection de la plaie a ete la complication post operatoire dominante avec 15;3%. le taux de mortalite etait de 1;39%

Repeated Cerebral Infarctions after Operation for Compound Depressed Skull Fracture: A Case Report

Open skull fracture with a dirty and depressed lesion can lead to post-traumatic complications such as an embolic or hemorrhagic infarction, although the incidence is very rare. We report on one unpredictable case of repeated embolic infarctions after reconstruction for a patient with an open depressed skull fracture. A 51-year-old man presented with open crush wound at the right frontal lesion with drowsy mentality because of falling down. Computed tomography (CT) showed a 4x5 cm sized, compound comminuted depressed fracture at the frontal lesion involving the frontal sinus. We performed emergent surgical reduction and reconstruction by primary repair and pericranial graft. Postoperative CT and magnetic resonance image showed multiple low-density lesions at the right frontal and temporal subcortical area confirmed as multiple acute infarctions. One month after the operation, the patient complained of sudden headache, and the CT showed low and high density lesions at the right temporal area. Trans-femoral cerebral angiography showed delayed venous flow around the right superior and middle parietal cortex. The patient received conservative treatment, and, three months after treatment, the patient had recovered to close to normal neurology.

Traumatic Dural Venous Sinus Injury / 대한신경손상학회지

OBJECTIVE: The importance of traumatic dural venous sinus injury lies in the probability of massive blood loss at the time of trauma or emergency operation resulting in a high mortality rate during the perioperative period. We considered the appropriate methods of treatment that are most essential in the overall management of traumatic dural venous sinus injuries. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all cases involving patients with dural venous sinus injury who presented to our hospital between January 1999 and December 2014. RESULTS: Between January 1999 and December 2014, 20 patients with a dural venous sinus injury out of the 1,200 patients with severe head injuries who had been operated upon in our clinic were reviewed retrospectively. There were 17 male and 3 female patients. In 11 out of the 13 patients with a linear skull fracture crossing the dural venous sinus, massive blood loss from the injured sinus wall could be controlled by simple digital pressure using Gelfoam. All 5 patients with a linear skull fracture parallel to the sinus over the venous sinus developed massive sinus bleeding that could not be controlled by simple digital pressure. CONCLUSION: When there is a linear skull fracture parallel to the sinus over the dural venous sinus or a depressed skull fracture penetrating the sinus, the surgeon should be prepared for the possibility of potentially fatal venous sinus injury, even in the absence of a hematoma.

Fractura - hundimiento craneal congénita: una realidad obstétrica / Congenital depressed skull fracture: an obstetric reality

Las fracturas craneales congénitas tienen baja incidencia, de una etiología desconocida, generando una gran alarma respecto a la actuación obstétrica en el momento del parto. Se presenta el diagnóstico, exploración radiológica y evolución clínica de dos recién nacidos con fractura-hundimiento craneal intrauterina, uno de ellos con manejo expectante y el otro con manejo quirúrgico. Ambos con buena evolución posterior y sin secuelas neurológicas ni estéticas.

The congenital skull fractures presented a low incidence, unknown aetiology, and it causes great alarm as far as the obstetric actions to be taken at birth are concerned. This work presents the diagnosis, radiology examinations and clinical evolution of two live-born infants with an intrauterine depressed skull fracture, one with expectant management and the other with surgical management. Both neonates showed good subsequent evolution with no neurological and no aesthetic sequelae.

Fractura compuesta de cráneo: reporte de casos y revisión de la literatura / Compound fracture of skull: case report and literature review

Introducción: Las fracturas son generalmente clasificados como simples (cerrada) o compuesta (abierta). En el caso de las fracturas de cráneo, pueden ser fracturas lineales, elevados, o triturado con la depresión. Fractura de cráneo compuesta rara vez se ha reportado en la literatura médica y cursa con una alta morbilidad y mortalidad. Los autores presentan seis casos de fracturas múltiples del cráneo, hablan sobre el tratamiento y pronóstico. Pacientes y métodos: Se analizaron seis casos de fractura compuesta del cráneo. Analizado por sexo, causa, localización, diagnóstico, tratamiento y pronóstico. Resultados: El sexo 5M / 1F. La edad media fue de 22 a. Las causas fueron: tres por agresión física, dos por accidente de coche y uno por explosión de neumático. Todos los pacientes fueron sometidos a TC. GCS medio al ingreso fue de 8. El tratamiento quirúrgico fue instituido en todos los casos. Tres pacientes desarrollaron infecciones (meningitis 2, empiema 1). Las secuelas fueron tres convulsiones, trastornos de la conducta 2. Hubo una muerte. Conclusión: La fractura compuesta del cráneo es rara y depende de la superficie del objeto y energía cinética. Las fracturas compuestas del cráneo con fragmentos de la depresión, son más frecuentes debido a la fuerza que se aplica hacia el cráneo. Su tratamiento inicial es quirúrgico y frecuentemente evoluciona con un mal pronóstico.

Introduction: Fractures are usually classified as simple (closed) or compound (open). In the case of skull fractures, they may be linear, high, or comminuted fracture with subsidence. The compound skull fracture has been rarely reported in medical literature and courses with high morbidity and mortality. The authors present six cases of compound fractures of the skull, discuss the treatment and prognosis. Patients and methods: We reviewed six cases of compound fracture of the skull. Analyzed according to gender, causes, location, diagnostic, treatment and prognosis. Results: The gender 5M / 1F. The mean age was 22 a. The two causes were physical aggression 3, car accident 2 and explosion of a tire 1. All patients underwent CT. Average score on ECG in admission 8. Surgical treatment was instituted all cases. Sequels were seizures 3 and behavioral disorders 2. There is one death. Conclusion: The compound fracture of the skull is rare and depends on the surface of blunt object and kinetic energy. The compound skull fractures with fragments of depression are more common, due to the force that is applied toward the skull. The initial treatment is surgical, and usually evolves with poor prognosis.

Clinical Comparison of the Predictive Value of the Simple Skull X-Ray and 3 Dimensional Computed Tomography for Skull Fractures of Children

OBJECTIVE: In the pediatric population the skull has not yet undergone ossification and it is assumed that the diagnostic rate of skull fractures by simple X-rays are lower than that of adults. It has been recently proposed that the diagnostic rates of skull fractures by 3-dimensional computer tomography (3D-CT) are higher than simple X-rays. The authors therefore attempted to compare the diagnostic rates of pediatric skull fractures by simple X-rays and 3D-CTs with respect to the type of fracture. METHODS: One-hundred patients aged less than 12 years who visited the Emergency Center for cranial injury were subject to simple X-rays and 3D-CTs. The type and location of the fractures were compared and Kappa statistical analysis and the t-test were conducted. RESULTS: Among the 100 pediatric patients, 65 were male and 35 were female. The mean age was 50+/-45 months. 63 patients had simple skull fractures and 22 had complex fractures, and the types of fractures were linear fractures in 74, diastatic fractures 15, depressed fractures in 10, penetrating fracture in 1, and greenstick fractures in 3 patients. Statistical difference was observed for the predictive value of simple skull fractures' diagnostic rate depending on the method for diagnosis. A significant difference of the Kappa value was noted in the diagnosis of depressed skull fractures and diastatic skull fractures. CONCLUSION: In the majority of pediatric skull fractures, 3D-CT showed superior diagnosis rates compared to simple skull X-rays and therefore 3D-CT is recommended whenever skull fractures are suspected. This is especially true for depressed skull fractures and diastatic skull fractures.

Traffic accidents; correlation between skull fractures and intracranial lesions

To find out the correlation between different types of skull fractures and intracranial lesions in traffic accidents. Patients examined in surgical emergency Allied Hospital, Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad. Two years from 1st January 1996 to 31 December 1997. In this study, the reports belonging to surviving 250 cases that had head injuries in traffic accidents were examined retrospectively. Data was collected from surgical emergency record office. Collected information was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The rate of intracranial lesions among the cases with the skull fracture was 39.0%, while the rate of skull fracture among the cases with the intracranial lesion was 50.3% [P<0.001]. Depressed fractures were more in males, while linear fractures were more in females as well as in young males as whole intracranial lesions were less in patients with skull fracture due to lower intra cranial pressure

Traumatic Brainstem Hemorrhage Presenting with Hemiparesis

Traumatic brainstem hemorrhage after blunt head injury is an uncommon event. The most frequent site of hemorrhage is the midline rostral brainstem. The prognosis of these patients is poor because of its critical location. We experienced a case of traumatic brainstem hemorrhage. A 41-year-old male was presented with drowsy mentality and right hemiparesis after blunt head injury. Plain skull radiographs and brain computerized tomography scans revealed a depressed skull fracture, epidural hematoma, and hemorrhagic contusion in the right parieto-occipital region. But, these findings did not explain the right hemiparesis. T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) image of the cervical spine demonstrated a focal hyperintense lesion in the left pontomedullary junction. Brain diffusion-weighted and FLAIR MR images showed a focal hyperintensity in the ventral pontomedullary lesion and it was more prominent in the left side. His mentality and weakness were progressively improved with conservative treatment. We should keep in mind the possibility of brainstem hemorrhage if supratentorial lesions or spinal cord lesions that caused neurological deficits in the head injured patients are unexplainable.

A Case of Calvarial Hemangioma in Cranioplasty Site

It is not uncommon for hemangiomas to occur in the calvarium, accounting for about 10% of the benign skull tumors. A 46-year-old man was presented with a palpable scalp mass on the left parietal region. Past medical history indicated that he had undergone cranioplasty 25 years prior due to a depressed skull fracture suffered from a traffic accident. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed mixed signal intensity mass on T1 -and T2-weighted images pushing a linear signal void lesion outward in the left parietal region. After total surgical removal along with cranioplasty, he was discharged without neurological deficits. Histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed a cavernous hemangioma. A skull hemangioma occurring at the site of a cranioplasty has not yet been reported. Therefore, authors report this case in combination with a pertinent literature review.

Conservative and surgical management of depressed, skull fractures

The aim of the study is to examine the efficacy of a conservative and surgical management of depressed fractures skull. A prospective study of 120 patients with depressed skull fractures treated at Bolan Medical Complex Hospital from December 2003 -2007. There were 108 males and 12 females, age range was 12 month to 80 years, and the mean age was 40 years. All patients underwent X-ray and cranial CT scan. Depressed fractures due to missile injuries were excluded from the study. Object fall on the head was the cause of depressed fracture in 30% of our patients, fall from a height in 19%, road traffic accident in 20%, sports injury in 10%, assault in 19.8% and suicidal attempt in 1.2%. Parietal bone was injured in 44%, frontal bone in 32%, temporal bone in 18% and occipital bone in 6%. Seventy-two percent were compound depressed fractures and 28% were simple depressed fractures. Eighty-four patients were managed conservatively, 56 patients with compound fractures [66.7%] and 28 patients [33.3%] with simple fractures. Significant extra-axial haematoma was the indication for elevation of the fracture in 40% of the surgical group, significant wound contamination, brain tissue and CSF in the wound in 5%, frontal sinus involved in 15%, cosmetic deformity in 25%, fracture on the superior sagittal sinus in 10% and right sided hemiplegia in 5%. Our study demonstrates that 70% of patients with depressed skull fractures can be safely managed conservatively without major surgical intervention

Compound depressed skull fractures overlying dural venous sinuses

The purpose of this study was to characterize the patients with compound depressed skull fractures overIying dural venous sinuses clinically and radiologically and to discuss the patients' circumstances that favour conservative or surgical treatment, in addition to the outcome. Of 192 patients with depressed skull fractures admitted to our Neurosurgical Department, Assiut University Hospital between January 2004 to December 2005, 30 patients [15.6%] with compound depressed skull fractures over a dural venous sinus were prospectively studied. There were 27 [90%] males and 3 [10%] females. Eighteen patients [60%] were paediatrics [3- 18 yrs] while 12 [40%] were adults [20-60 yrs]. Twenty-four patients had a Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] of 14- 15/15, 3 patients had a GCS of 9- 13 and 3 patients had a GCS of <8. Aetiological falls and motor vehicle accident were predominant in the paediatric group while among adults assault and motor vehide accident were predominant. The superior sagittal sinus was the most commonly involved sinus [28 out of 30 patients = 93.3%] with anterior injuries more common than posterior ones [26 out of 28 patients = 92.9%]. Thirteen patients [43.3%] were treated conservatively and 17 [56.7%] patients were treated surgically; either initially in 15 cases due to the presence of neurological deficit, underlying haematoma, egress or escape of intracranial contents and/or deep contamination, or later on in the other 2 cases due to development of intracranial hypertension. lntraoperative difficulty was experienced in 8 [47.1%] patients. Of those treated non-operatively, 3 [23.1%] patients developed wound infection while wound infection among those treated operatively was seen in 2 [11.8%] patients. There was no mortality and the neurological deficit was reversed with the aid of physiotherapy by time and the patients returned to their daily activities. Our opinion favours conservative approach to fractures involving a dural sinus, if the wound is not contaminated, as the risk of infection is low. Surgery exposes the patient to the very real risk of massive haemorrhage. In instances where there is a clear need for surgery adequate precautions should be taken. Computed tomographic venography is a reliable tool for demonstrating early sinus compression and/or occlusion that facilitates surgical decision. However, delayed intracranial hypertension is a possible complication and should always be considered in patients with the appropriate clinical findings in the follow-up period

Management strategy of depressed skull fractures

The aim of the study is to examine the efficacy of a conservative approach in the management of depressed skull fractures. A prospective study of 120 patients with depressed skull fractures treated at Salmaniya Medical Complex from January 1998 to December 2006. There were 108 males and 12 females, age range was 12 months to 80 years, and the mean age was 40 years. All patients underwent skull x-ray and cranial CT scan. Depressed fractures due to missile injuries were excluded from the study. Selective criteria for conservative and surgical managements were specified. The group treated conservatively compared favourably with surgical group in outcome. Object fall on the head was the cause of depressed fracture in 30% of our patients, fall from a height in 19%, road traffic accident in 20%, sports injury in 10%, assault in 19.8% and suicidal attempt in 1.2%. Parietal bone was injured in 44%, frontal bone in 32%, temporal bone in 18% and occipital bone in 6%. Seventy-two percent were compound depressed fractures and 28% were simple depressed fractures. Eighty-four patients were managed conservatively, 56 patients with compound fractures [66.7%] and 28 patients [33.3%] with simple fractures. Significant extra-axial haematoma was the indication for elevation of the fracture in 40% of the surgical group, significant wound contamination, brain tissue and CSF in the wound in 5%, frontal sinus involvement in 15%, cosmetic deformity in 25%, fracture on the superior sagittal sinus in 10% and right sided hemiplegia in 5%. Our study demonstrates that 70% of patients with depressed skull fractures can be safely managed conservatively without major surgical intervention. The major proportion of compound depressed skull fractures [66.7%] can be selected for conservative treatment without compromise of health and with a major socioeconomic advantage and short hospital stay

Correlation between Cephalhematomas and Intracranial Hematomas

PURPOSE: Cephalhematomas rarely lead to serious complications, such as skull fractures and intracranial hematomas, so CT and/or MRI scans are indicated only in cases in which depressed fractures are suspected or neurologic symptoms develop. Nevertheless, we have experienced several cases of cephalhematomas associated with intracranial hematomas in the absence of remarkable neurologic symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between cephalhematomas and intracranial hematomas and determine the need for neuroimaging in infants with cephalhematomas. METHODS: Infants who were admitted to the NICU with cephalhematomas and underwent neuroimaging (CT and/or MRI) between January 2002 and July 2006 were evaluated. Neuroimaging was done when the symptoms suggested the development of an intracranial hematoma. RESULTS: Among 54 infants with cephalhematomas, 18 infants underwent neuroimaging. Six of 18 infants (33.3%) had intracranial hematomas, 4 infants had epidural hematomas, and 2 infants had subdural hematomas. Four of these 6 infants had neurologic symptoms or depressed skull fractures; 2 infants had no neurologic symptoms or depressed skull fractures. The neuroimaging was done to evaluate the cause of an excessive elevation of serum bilirubin and unexplained anemia. There were no remarkable differences between the infants with and without intracranial hematomas with respect to gestational age, birth weight, head circumference, diameter of the cephalhematoma, neurologic symptoms, and other clinical signs and symptoms. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, intracranial hematomas are common complications of cephalhematomas, thus more careful inspection and neuroimaging may be needed in cases of cephalhematomas in newborns.