Traumatic low attenuation subdural fluid collections in children younger than 3 years.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the time course for the development of posttraumatic nonhemic subdural fluid collections in infants and young children.


METHODS
Retrospective consecutive case series during 16 years. Patients Fifty-five head trauma patients younger than 3 years with low attenuation subdural fluid on computed tomography.


METHODS
Time after head trauma when low attenuation fluid first becomes visible.


METHODS
Regional pediatric medical center.


RESULTS
The initial visualization of low attenuation subdural fluid was within 4 days of the trauma for 44 of the patients. The mean +/- SD size of the subdural fluid collections when first identified was 4.6 +/- 2.0 mm (range, 2-12 mm), and the maximum observed size was 7.7 +/- 3.5 mm (range, 3-21 mm). The mean +/- SD time after injury until the maximum observed size was 16 +/- 18 days (range, 0-87 days). Low attenuation subdural fluid and high attenuation intracranial hemorrhage coexisted on at least 1 computed tomographic study during the first week after the trauma in 42 (81%) of the 52 patients with hemorrhage.


CONCLUSIONS
Low attenuation subdural fluid collections (distinct from clotted blood) in infants and young children with head injuries most often develop during the first week after the traumatic event.
Wells
Robert G
RG
Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53201, USA. rwells@chw.org
Sty
John R
JR
D001284:Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020198:Intracranial Hemorrhage, Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed