[Skull fracture with progressive separation. Apropos of a case]

A case of fracture of the skull with progressive separation of the fracture line in a seven-month-old is reported. The patient presented with a swelling in the right parieto-occipital area and paresis of the upper left limb; there was no clear history of trauma. The roentgenogram of the skull disclosed a large bone defect and the cerebral CT scan showed herniation of intracranial contents through this defect, confirming the diagnosis of fracture of the skull with progressive separation. In this form of skull fracture, the fracture line separates gradually and herniation of intracranial contents through the opening occurs. Clinical and roentgenographic monitoring should be routinely performed in children under three years with a skull fracture and separation of the fracture line, to detect a delayed complication. The mechanisms of this fracture are discussed in the light of data from the literature.