Usefulness of Neuroimaging Study in Cephalohematoma of Newborn / 대한주산의학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Cephalohematoma is a common birth injury that is absorbed spontaneously at most of the time. However, it sometimes can be accompanied with severe intracranial lesion which may ultimately lead to death. The aim of this study is to know when the CT and/or MRI study is useful by analyzing the risk factors for intracranial lesion associated with cephalohematoma in newborn. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2010, 162 infants diagnosed with cephalohematoma were studied retrospectively. We examined the demographic and clinical data, and also examined the reasons for neuroimaging studies with CT/MRI findings. The risk factors for intracranial lesion associated with cephalohematoma were analyzed by uni- and multivariate analysis as well. RESULTS: Among 162 patients, many were groups of normal birth weight, first-born, singlet or vaginally delivered newborns. Of these patients, 13.6% had neurologic symptoms, 4.1% had other birth injuries, and 1.2% died with associated intracranial lesion. Parietal region was the commonest site and most were greater than 3 cm in diameter. Simple skull X-ray was performed in 56.8% and CT/MRI in 28.4%. Giant hematoma and neurologic symptom were the two common reasons for requesting CT/MRI. Intracranial lesions such as hemorrhage, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and infarction were shown in almost two thirds of patients who performed CT/MRI. Multivariate analysis showed that significant risk factors were being first-born, having large size hematoma (> or = 5 cm) or having seizure. CONCLUSION: CT and/or MRI is recommended in cephalohematoma of newborn, especially for first-born baby with large size hematoma (> or = 5 cm) or seizure.