title: Spontaneous extradural haematoma associated with craniofacial infections: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: A 17-year-old male with occult cleft palate presented with depressed-consciousness due to spontaneous frontal extradural haematoma associated with sinusitis. Craniotomy, evacuation of the haematoma and drainage of the frontal sinuses led to a full recovery. Spontaneous extradural haematomas secondary to craniofacial infections are very rare; this appears to be the first described with a coexisting congenital palatal abnormality. The diagnosis should be considered when signs of infection are present with depressed consciousness as a delay in treatment may result in death.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Jatavallabhula
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D015522:Frontal Sinusitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006407:Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed