Characteristic MR Findings of Growing Skull Fracture in Children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Leptomeningeal cyst or growing skull fracture can occur in young infants or children following head trauma. We present MR imaging findings in five children with growing skull fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the MR images of five children (M F=23) with growing skull fracture. The mean age was 7.5 years. The time interval between the occurrence of head trauma and the presentation of growing skull fracture varied from three months to 12 years. We reviewed the precontrast CT scans and/or the plain skull radiographs in those patients for whom these studies were available. RESULTS: The most common location of the growing skull fracture was the parietal bone (n=3). On the MR images, there were bone defects with posttraumatic cystic encephalomalacia or porencephalic cysts. Marginal bony thickening and diploic space widening were noted in four patients. MR imaging was excellent for visualizing the parenchymal changes and pericranial lesions. CONCLUSION: In children with growing skull fracture, MR imaging can clearly depict trauma-related parenchymal changes, pericerebral lesions as well as bony edge thickening with remodeling.