Abstract

An epidural hematoma is a collection of blood in the epidural space and can occur after even minor head trauma. It is defined as the excellence of neurosurgical emergencies. In children, it is the most common posttraumatic intracranial hematoma, and is generally caused by falls from height or domestic accidents. However, in children, the increase in intracranial pressure is compensated for longer, due to the high compliance of the skull vault and brain parenchyma, but can suddenly lead to encephalic involvement and, in rare cases, even hemispheric infarction. Here, we report the case of a 23-month-old boy who presented with a subacute posttraumatic epidural hematoma complicated by cerebral infarction following a fall from a height. He was referred to us with an admission delay of 50 hours and was then rapidly taken to the operating room for emergency surgery. Unfortunately, the postoperative course was marked by complications. This case highlights that infarction during subacute epidural hematoma is a sign of a very poor prognosis.

Keywords

epidural hematoma, cerebral infarction, traumatic brain injury, head injury, children