Massive subgaleal hematoma following minor head trauma

A 23-month-old child developed massive head swelling secondary to a subgaleal hematoma several days following minor head trauma. When seen in the emergency department, the child was felt to be otherwise well and hemodynamically stable and was discharged with close follow-up. The hematoma subsequently resolved over the ensuing two weeks. This case represents an uncommon, but dramatic complication of minor head trauma and serves to illustrate the need for physicians to recognize this entity as well as manage it effectively. The major pitfalls in managing these patients are failure to recognize this entity and, particularly in the infant, failure to carefully assess the hemodynamic status.