Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Extradural haemorrhage in infancy and childhood

A review of 35 years' experience in South Australia

  • Original Papers
  • Published:
Child's Nervous System Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

One hundred and two paediatric cases of extradural haemorrhage (EDH) were treated in Adelaide, South Australia, during the period 1954–1988; 10 were infants (0–2 years) and 92 were children (2–14 years). There were 9 deaths (mortality 8.8%). Long-term disabilities severe enough to interfere with school and/or employment were seen in 8 (7.8%) survivors. This relatively low number of adverse outcomes is partly an expression of a low incidence (5.9%) of associated intradural haematomas and few high-velocity impacts due to vehicular accidents. There is reason to believe that the results of treatment have improved in the decade 1977–1988. We attribute this in part to early diagnosis by computed tomography (CT), but a contributory factor may be earlier referrals from country centres to a paediatric trauma centre and rapid transfer, by air or road, by medical retrieval teams.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bricolo AP, Pasut LM (1984) Extradural hematoma: toward zero mortality. Neurosurgery 14:8–12

    Google Scholar 

  2. Choux M (1986) Extracerebral hematomas in children. In: McLaurin RL (ed) Advances in neurotraumatology, vol 1. Springer, Wien New York, pp 173–208

    Google Scholar 

  3. Choux M, Grisoli F, Peragut JC (1975) Extradural hematomas in children. 104 cases. Child's Brain 1:337–347

    Google Scholar 

  4. Dan NG, Berry G, Kwok B, Mandryk JA, Ring IT, Sewell MF, Simpson DA (1986) Experience with extradural haematomas in New South Wales. Aust NZ J Surg 56:535–541

    Google Scholar 

  5. Dhellemmes P, Lejeune J-P, Christaens J-L, Combelles G (1985) Traumatic extradural hematomas in infancy and childhood. J Neurosurg 62:861–864

    Google Scholar 

  6. Dorsch MM, Woodward AJ, Somers RL (1987) Do bicycle safety helmets reduce severity of injury in real crashes? Accid Anal Prev 19:183–190

    Google Scholar 

  7. Gilligan JE, McCleave D, Nicholson B, Lafsky P, Jacquier D, Fuller W, Allen TH, Phillips G, Butler L, Stableford V (1977) Retrieval of the critically ill in South Australia: a coordinated approach. Med J Aust 2:849–855

    Google Scholar 

  8. Guitierrez FA, McLone DG, Raimondi AJ (1981) Epidural hematomas in infancy and childhood. In: American Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery (ed) Concepts in pediatric neurosurgery, vol 1. Karger, Basel, pp 188–201

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hawkes CD, Ogle WS (1962) Atypical features of epidural hematoma in infants, children and adolescents. J Neurosurg 19:971–980

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hooper R (1959) Observations on extradural haemorrhage. Br J Surg 47:71–87

    Google Scholar 

  11. Jamieson KG (1970) Extradural and subdural haematomas. Changing patterns and requirements of treatment in Australia. J Neurosurg 33:632–635

    Google Scholar 

  12. Jamieson KG (1976) Epidural haematoma. In: Vinken PJ, Bruyn GW (eds) Handbook of clinical neurology, vol 24, part II. Elsevier, New York, pp 261–274

    Google Scholar 

  13. Jamieson KG, Yelland JDN (1968) Extradural hematoma. Report of 167 cases. J Neurosurg 29:13–23

    Google Scholar 

  14. Jennett B (1989) Severe head injuries—Swedish style. Brain Injury 3:215–217

    Google Scholar 

  15. Jennett B, Bond MR (1975) Assessment of outcome after severe brain damage. Lancet I:480–484

    Google Scholar 

  16. Matson DD (1969) Neurosurgery of infancy and childhood, 2nd edn. Thomas, Springfield, Ill

    Google Scholar 

  17. Mazza C, Pasqualin A, Ferriotti G, Da Pian R (1982) Traumatic extradural hematomas in children: experience with 62 cases. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 65:67–80

    Google Scholar 

  18. Mendelow AD, Karmi MZ, Paul KS, Fuller GAG, Gillingham FJ (1979) Extradural haematoma: effect of delayed treatment. Br Med J 1:1240–1242

    Google Scholar 

  19. Milza PG, nardi PV, Gigli R, La Motta A (1989) Epidural hematomas in infancy and childhood: report on 176 cases. J Pediatr Neurosci 5:117–122

    Google Scholar 

  20. Nordstrom C-H, Messeter K, Sundbarg G, Wahlander S (1989) Severe traumatic brain lesions in Sweden. I. Aspects of management in non-neurosurgical clinics. Brain Injury 3:247–265

    Google Scholar 

  21. Oatey PE, Dinning TAR, Simpson DA (1983) Extradural haematoma in children. Primary and secondary lucid intervals. Med J Aust 2:176–180

    Google Scholar 

  22. Oka H, Kako M, Matsushima M, Ando K (1977) Traumatic spreading depression syndrome. Report of a particular kind of head injury in 37 patients. Brain 100:287–298

    Google Scholar 

  23. Pang D, Horton JA, Herron JM, Wilberger JE, Vries JK (1983) Non surgical management of extradural hematomas in children. J Neurosurg 59:958–971

    Google Scholar 

  24. Reilly PL, Simpson DA, Sprod R, Thomas L (1988) Assessing the conscious level in infants and young children: a paediatric version of the Glasgow Coma Scale. Child's Nerv Syst 4:30–33

    Google Scholar 

  25. Sharples PM, Storey A, Aynsley-Green A, Eyre JA (1990) Avoidable factors contributing to death of children with head injury. Br Med J 300:87–89

    Google Scholar 

  26. Simpson D, North B, Gilligan J, McLean J, Woodward A, Antonio J, Altree P (1984) Neurological injuries in South Australia: the influence of distance on management and outcome. Aust NZ J Surg 54:29–53

    Google Scholar 

  27. Simpson DA, Heyworth JS, McLean AJ, Gilligan JE, North JB (1988) Extradural haemorrhage: strategies for management in remote places. Injury 19:307–312

    Google Scholar 

  28. Yue CP, Mann KS, Ong GB (1983) Analysis of mortality of extradural haematoma in a general surgical unit. Aust NZ J Surg 53:85–88

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

The substance of this paper was presented to the 12th Congress of the European Society for Paediatric Neurosurgery, Warsaw 1990

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Molloy, C.J., McCaul, K.A., McLean, A.J. et al. Extradural haemorrhage in infancy and childhood. Child's Nerv Syst 6, 383–387 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00302223

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00302223

Key words

Navigation