Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Minimally Invasive Thumb-sized Pterional Craniotomy for Surgical Clip Ligation of Unruptured Anterior Circulation Aneurysms
11:58

Minimally Invasive Thumb-sized Pterional Craniotomy for Surgical Clip Ligation of Unruptured Anterior Circulation Aneurysms

Published on: August 11, 2015

15.5K

The Prominent Subarachnoid Space in Children: How has a Normal Variant Become Medicolegally Life-Threatening

Michael Ditchfield1, Shohreh Sadrarhami1, Joanna Tully2

  • 1Department of Pediatric Diagnostic Radiology, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology
|January 9, 2025
PubMed

Insights

A prominent subarachnoid space (SAS) in infants is common and usually normal, often linked to macrocephaly. Differentiating normal SAS from pathology is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis of conditions like subdural hemorrhage.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Radiology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Infant Neurology

Background:

  • Prominent subarachnoid space (SAS) in infants under 24 months is a common finding.
  • It is frequently a normal variant, often associated with macrocephaly.
  • Distinguishing normal prominent SAS from pathological causes is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the characteristics of the subarachnoid space in infants.
  • To clarify terminology related to prominent SAS.
  • To investigate the association between prominent SAS and subdural hemorrhage (SDH).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on infant SAS characteristics.
  • Analysis of terminology used for SAS prominence.
  • Examination of studies correlating prominent SAS with SDH.

Main Results:

  • Normal prominent SAS is a common variant and not indicative of pathology.
  • Misinterpretation of prominent SAS has led to medicolegal confusion.
  • Evidence does not support a causal link between normal prominent SAS and SDH.

Conclusions:

  • Prominent SAS in infants is typically a benign finding.
  • Accurate differentiation from pathological conditions is essential.
  • The association of prominent SAS with SDH requires careful evaluation to avoid misdiagnosis.

Keywords:
abusive head traumabenign enlargement of the subarachnoid spacenon‐accidental injurysubarachnoid spacesubdural haemorrhage

More Related Videos

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas07:43

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Published on: January 17, 2018

18.8K
Endovascular Perforation Model for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Combined with Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI06:30

Endovascular Perforation Model for Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Combined with Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI

Published on: December 16, 2021

3.6K

Related Concept Videos

Cranial and Spinal Meninges01:19

Cranial and Spinal Meninges

The cranial and spinal meninges are complex protective structures surrounding the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord. These meninges consist of the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. They protect the CNS, provide structural support, and aid in circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Cranial Meninges
These meningeal layers cover the cranium. The dura mater is the outermost layer of cranial meninges. It is a thick and durable membrane of dense...
1.2K
Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles01:18

Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles

There are hollow fluid-filled cavities known as ventricles deep inside the human brain. There are two lateral ventricles, one in each cerebral hemisphere, and each has three different projections — the anterior, inferior, and posterior horns visible from the lateral side. A thin membrane called the septum pellucidum separates the two lateral ventricles. The slender third ventricle in the diencephalon is connected to each lateral ventricle via a channel called the interventricular foramen.
3.0K