Cranial trauma following birth in term infants

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Radiology
• Neonatal Imaging
• Neuroradiology

Background:

• Birth-related cranial injuries are a significant concern in neonatology.
• Accurate imaging is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of these injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate the diverse imaging characteristics of cranial injuries in term newborns.
• To aid radiologists in differentiating various scalp, skull, and intracranial pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Pictorial review of imaging findings.
• Inclusion of common and less common birth-related cranial injuries.
• Emphasis on differentiating imaging features.

Main Results:

• Detailed imaging examples of cephalhaematoma, skull fractures, and subgaleal haemorrhage.
• Illustrations of extradural, subdural, and subarachnoid haemorrhage.
• Imaging of leptomeningeal cysts and brain infarcts associated with birth trauma.

Conclusions:

• Radiologists must recognize the spectrum of cranial injuries in term neonates.
• Familiarity with differentiating imaging features is essential for accurate diagnosis.
• This review serves as a visual guide for identifying and classifying birth-related cranial trauma.