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Updated: Dec 11, 2025
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Author Spotlight: Development and Evaluation of a Standardized Rat Model for Calvarial Suture-Bony Composite Defects
Published on: May 10, 2024
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Posttraumatic Cranial Suture Diastasis in Pediatric Temporal Bone Fractures
Nathaniel H Reeve1, Jacob B Kahane1, Jordan Miller2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Summary
Posttraumatic temporal bone suture diastasis occurs in over 40% of pediatric temporal bone fractures and indicates more severe injuries. This condition may represent a distinct clinical entity requiring further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Posttraumatic sutural diastasis in the calvarium is rare.
- Concurrent temporal bone involvement with sutural diastasis has not been previously reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe diastasis along temporal bone suture lines in pediatric patients with temporal bone trauma.
- To identify clinical sequelae associated with temporal bone suture diastasis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case review of 44 pediatric patients (aged ≤18) with temporal bone fractures (2013-2018).
- Assessment of diastasis (sutural separation >1mm vs. contralateral side) at occipitomastoid, lambdoid, sphenosquamosal, and petro-occipital sutures/synchondroses.
- Correlation of diastasis with fracture type, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), loss of consciousness (LOC), and complications.
Main Results:
- Diastasis occurred in 41.5% of temporal bone fractures.
- Transverse fracture types were significantly associated with diastasis (p≤0.001).
- Lower GCS and LOC correlated with diastasis and diastasis with displacement (p≤0.042).
- Cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea occurred in 2 cases, and 3 deaths were noted in patients with diastasis.
Conclusions:
- Temporal bone suture diastasis is a predictor of higher disruptive force injuries and severe outcomes.
- Diastasis may represent a distinct clinico-pathologic entity beyond standard temporal bone fracture classifications.
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