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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
Published on: February 2, 2015
Subdural effusions in children under two years--clinical and computer-tomographical data
Insights
Subdural effusions in children under two years old were diagnosed using CT scans. This reliable imaging method identified effusions in 87 of 161 children, often small, with associated CT abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Neuroradiology
Background:
- Subdural effusions are a concern in pediatric patients.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of CT scans in diagnosing subdural effusions in young children.
- To characterize the findings associated with subdural effusions.
Main Methods:
- Investigated 161 children under 24 months of age.
- Utilized computed tomography (CT) of the skull.
- Reviewed anamnestic and clinical history.
Main Results:
- Subdural effusions were identified in 87 children (54%).
- CT scans confirmed subdural effusions in 1.7% of approximately 5,000 scans.
- Small effusions (1-7 mm) were most common (51%); associated findings included dilated interhemispheric sulcus and internal hydrocephalus.
Conclusions:
- CT is a highly reliable method for diagnosing subdural effusions in children under two years.
- Subdural effusions often present with other CT abnormalities.
- Specific clinical and anamnestic symptoms can aid diagnosis.
Abstract:
We investigated 161 children under 24 months of age by CT of the skull and reviewed the anamnestic and clinical history. 87 children showed subdural effusions, and 74 did not. There were 33 patients with other pathological findings in CT, and 41 had normal scans. Age and sex distribution as well as localization of the subdural effusions were consistent with the literature. The 87 children with subdural effusions represented 1.7% in a sample of about 5.000 CT scans. CT was the most reliable method for diagnosis of subdural effusions, compared to other techniques. There was a preponderance of small subdural effusions from 1 to 7 mm thickness (51%). Other CT abnormalities accompanying subdural effusions were found. Most frequently the interhemispheric sulcus was dilated and an internal hydrocephalus was present. Also in our group there were 7 anamnestical and 6 clinical symptoms highly diagnostic of subdural effusions.
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