Growing skull fractures and their craniofacial equivalents
R J Havlik1, L N Sutton, S P Bartlett
1Division of Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Insights
Craniofacial equivalents of growing skull fractures can occur in pediatric patients after surgery. Early diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent neurological complications.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
Background:
- Growing skull fractures typically arise after head trauma.
- Craniofacial equivalents, a rare complication, can occur post-neurosurgical or craniofacial operations in pediatric patients.
- These entities share similarities with growing skull fractures, involving bone defects and dural tears.
Abstract:
Growing skull fractures occur most commonly after head injury; however, their "craniofacial equivalents" may occur after neurosurgical or craniofacial operations in pediatric patients. Experience with five separate cases is reviewed, including one case that involved the anterior cranial base and presented with vertical dystopia and proptosis. Necessary contributing factors appear to include (1) cranial bone defect, (2) dural tear, and (3) expanding intracranial process (e.g., growth of the brain). Prompt recognition and the diagnosis of the problem are essential to prevent the development of progressive neurological complications. The pathophysiology and principles of surgical management of these complex problems are explored in detail.
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