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Traumatic extradural hematomas of the posterior fossa in children
J M Costa Clara1, E Claramunt, L Ley
1Neurosurgery Department, University Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Extradural hematomas (EDH) in the posterior fossa are rare in children but treatable. Prompt diagnosis with CT scans and surgical evacuation led to excellent outcomes, with no mortality or morbidity in this study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Neuroradiology
Background:
- Extradural hematomas (EDH) are the most favorable intracranial bleeding in children.
- Posterior fossa EDH is less common than supratentorial EDH.
- Early detection and surgical intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes.
Abstract:
The most favorable type of traumatic intracranial bleeding in childhood is the extradural hemorrage (EDH). The posterior fossa location is less frequent than the supratentorial site. In the period from January 1989 to January 1994 we treated 2,372 patients with craniocerebral trauma; 31 had extradural hematomas (1.3%); 3 of them were located in the posterior fossa (9.7%): 1 boy and 2 girls aged from 6 to 16 years. The traumatic mechanism was an occipital fall in all cases. Diagnosis was made by computed tomography scan (CT). Two of them had a rapidly deteriorating course. The three patients were operated on without mortality and there was no morbidity. The role of CT in the early detection of lesions and prompt surgical evacuation may reduce the mortality and morbidity from this lesion. The interaction between these factors is discussed.