Skull Fractures
Let us revisit skull fractures since there are a number of falls among children.
Linear skull fractures in infants generally heal in about 3-4 months.
They are observed for signs of vomiting, poor suck, less activity and somnolence. Children are also observed for leptomeningeal cyst which happens when injury occurs before 2-3 years old.
Leptomeningeal cyst is a fluid- filled space between the pia and the arachnoid, herniating through a dural tear into the fracture line which enlarges and will result to erosion of the bones.
Basal skull fractures are quite rare and is considered when there is CSF oto or rhinorrhea or postauricular ecchymosis.
When there is depressed fracture, the children are referred to neurologists and neurosurgeons for evaluation and management.
Other rare complications of skull fractures are pneumoceles and tension pneumocephalus.