BACKGROUND: Delayed swelling after skull fractures is an uncommon complication following head trauma in children. Classically, growing skull fractures typically present in patients under 3 years of age with progressive subcutaneous fluid collections, or occasionally with neurologic symptoms. We present the case of a healthy 2-year-old boy with a lytic "punched-out" frontal skull lesion. The child presented 2 months after a minor forehead injury for which no medical attention was sought. METHODS: The skull defect had no associated leptomeningeal cyst or brain herniation. Imaging and presentation were thought to be consistent with eosinophilic granuloma. Histologic findings demonstrated a healing skull fracture. RESULTS: Cranioplasty was performed, and the patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course. CONCLUSIONS: In this report, we describe our experience with this atypical presentation of a healing skull fracture mimicking a typical eosinophilic granuloma.
BACKGROUND: Delayed swelling after skull fractures is an uncommon complication following head trauma in children. Classically, growing skull fractures typically present in patients under 3 years of age with progressive subcutaneous fluid collections, or occasionally with neurologic symptoms. We present the case of a healthy 2-year-old boy with a lytic "punched-out" frontal skull lesion. The child presented 2 months after a minor forehead injury for which no medical attention was sought. METHODS: The skull defect had no associated leptomeningeal cyst or brain herniation. Imaging and presentation were thought to be consistent with eosinophilic granuloma. Histologic findings demonstrated a healing skull fracture. RESULTS: Cranioplasty was performed, and the patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course. CONCLUSIONS: In this report, we describe our experience with this atypical presentation of a healing skull fracture mimicking a typical eosinophilic granuloma.
Authors: V de P Djientcheu; A K Njamnshi; P Ongolo-Zogo; M Kobela; B Rilliet; A Essomba; M A Sosso Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2006-01-11 Impact factor: 1.475