Nonsurgical treatment of posterior fossa epidural hematoma

The recommended treatment for posterior fossa epidural hematoma has been prompt surgical evacuation. We report 2 patients who were treated conservatively. Both patients were younger than 10 years of age and developed subacute symptoms and signs. Serial computed tomography demonstrated complete resolution of the hematomas and no development of hydrocephalus during nonsurgical treatment. They recovered well without any neurologic deficits. In order to evaluate an indicative factor for nonsurgical treatment in young children with posterior fossa epidural hematoma, we review both of our patients and 36 well-documented patients from the literature, all of whom were younger than 10 years of age. The results demonstrate that the development of hydrocephalus is a critical factor in clinical progression. Nonsurgical management can be applied in these circumstances until spontaneous resolution of the hematoma unless early signs of medullary compression appear acutely after head trauma or serial computed tomography demonstrates the development of hydrocephalus followed by medullary compression.