Shunt surgery in growing skull fractures: report of two cases

Growing skull fractures indicate underlying brain damage which is an important aetiological factor in their development. Two cases of growing skull fractures managed successfully with shunt surgery are presented. In one, the growing skull fracture was associated with an underlying tense occipital porencephalic cyst and in the other with cystic encephalomalacia and hydrocephalus. Following shunt surgery, signs of raised intracranial pressure were relieved, improvement in neurological status was noted, regrowth of the bone edges was seen and major surgery including brain debridement was avoided. The role of shunt surgery in growing skull fractures in infants is discussed and relevant details highlighted.