Beware of Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Subdural Hematoma in a 10-Year-Old Child With Minor Head Trauma

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by disruption of normal collagen formation resulting in varying degrees of ligamentous laxity and skeletal vulnerability; the low bleeding potential is easily overlooked. Subdural hematoma (SDH) is a common neurosurgical condition, classically related to the rupture of bridging cortico-dural veins after trauma. In the pediatric population, the age distribution shows a massive preponderance for children in their early first decade. We report a very unusual case of SDH in a 10-year-old boy with OI type I, with history of minor trauma. SDH remains exceedingly rare in OI, and its pathophysiology is unclear. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a unilateral subacute SDH associated with OI in a child of such advanced age. These cases may also carry legal ramifications, including misdiagnosis of child abuse in ambiguous situations that are not thoroughly investigated.