Extradural haematoma in children: surgical experiences and prospective analysis of 170 cases

Sharif Noman Khaled Chowdhury1, K M Tarikul Islam, Ehsan Mahmood

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Turkish Neurosurgery
|January 26, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Prompt surgical evacuation of extradural hematoma (EDH) in children leads to excellent outcomes. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for preventing mortality and morbidity in pediatric neurosurgical emergencies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurosurgery
  • Trauma Management
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Extradural hematoma (EDH) is a significant neurosurgical emergency in children.
  • Aggressive diagnostic and surgical management are key to improving outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present experiences in managing pediatric extradural hematoma.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of prompt surgical evacuation.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 170 pediatric EDH patients undergoing surgery (2006-2010).
  • Evaluation included age, sex, injury mechanism, hematoma location, clinical presentation, CT findings, surgery, and outcome.

Main Results:

  • 72% of patients were male; age ranged from 1.8 to 18 years (mean 9.49).
  • Falls (41%) and Road Traffic Accidents (32%) were common injury mechanisms.
  • Altered sensorium (61%) and headache/vomiting (56%) were frequent presentations; mortality rate was 8%.

Conclusions:

  • Early diagnosis and surgical evacuation of EDH are critical for reducing mortality and morbidity.
  • Factors influencing outcome include patient age, cranial fractures, associated brain lesions, and time to surgery.
  • Children under 10 years old show a better prognosis.
Abstract

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