Neuroimaging findings of retroclival hemorrhage in children: a diagnostic conundrum.
BACKGROUND
Retroclival hemorrhage in children may occur in three compartments, namely epidural, subdural, and subarachnoid, frequently secondary to trauma. Retroclival epidural hematoma may be associated with ligamentous injury, which may further result in instability at the craniocervical junction. Retroclival subdural hematoma may indicate a sentinel event for traumatic injury elsewhere within the brain or posterior fossa. Retroclival subarachnoid hemorrhage may have severe clinical consequences related to vasospasm.


OBJECTIVE
Neuroimaging is essential in the recognition, localization, and characterization of retroclival hemorrhage into various compartments and for evaluating potential severe clinical consequences such as craniocervical junction instability, underlying traumatic brain injury, and ischemia secondary to vasospasm. The goal of this paper is to discuss the anatomy and biomechanics of the craniocervical junction as well as the neuroimaging findings associated with various compartments of retroclival hemorrhage in children.
Section of Pediatric Neuroradiology, Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Zayed Tower, Rm 4174, 1800 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287-0842, USA.
June
J
Koshy
Merel M
MM
Scheurkogel
Lauren
L
Clough
Thierry A G M
TA
Huisman
Andrea
A
Poretti
Thangamadhan
T
Bosemani
D002648:Child; D006407:Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020196:Trauma, Nervous System / Q000175:diagnosis*