[Craniocerebral trauma in childhood]

Depending on the clinical symptomatology, computed tomography (CT) is the predominant examination technique. CT reliably shows live-threatening intra- or extracerebral hemorrhage. Typical localization and distribution of blood allow differentiation between extradural and/or subarachnoidal effusion. Dislocation of the midline structures or of cortical relief shows the mass effect of intracranial hemorrhage. In many cases localized edema can be identified, but because of the normally very narrow cortical sulci in children and younger people, the general post-traumatic brain swelling is often diagnosed only retrospectively. Magnetic resonance tomography is more sensitive than CT concerning subtle changes in the depth of the white matter and should be used for follow-up studies as a supplementary examination.