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Giant cephalhematoma in a 15-year-old boy. Unilateral amaurosis as the main complication
J Aguas1, C Conde, G G Fructuoso
1Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Background:
The term "cephalhematoma" is applied to a collection of blood under the periosteum of a skull bone. It most frequently occurs in the neonatal period and is rare at other times of life.
Methods And Results:
We report on a 15-year-old boy with a subperiosteal hematoma involving the whole cranial surface. Surgical drainage was performed. In the immediate postoperative course, the patient developed a progressive decrease in the right eye visual acuity. An orbital computed tomographic scan revealed the retro-orbital subperiosteal extension of the hematoma. A second surgical procedure was necessary to obtain visual recovery.
Conclusions:
The occurrence of cephalhematoma in adults is exceptional. However, it may lead to serious complications. Surgical treatment should be aimed to avoid retro-orbital extension of the hematoma.