Linear skull fracture in infants after mild traumatic brain injury: influence of computed tomography in management.

INTRODUCTION

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common reason for pediatric emergency room visits. Surgical intervention for mild TBI is rarely necessary in children aged <2 years, but the intracranial findings can influence the management of the patient. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of computed tomography (CT) in the management of children aged <2 years with mild TBI and linear skull fractures on plain-film X-rays.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective descriptive study analyzed skull X-rays obtained in children <2 years old attended for mild TBI in the emergency room of our tertiary hospital over a 4-year period.

RESULTS

A total of 88 CT studies were done for suspicion of linear skull fractures on plain-film X-rays. Fractures were confirmed in 74, representing a false-positive rate of 16%. Of the 74 infants with confirmed fractures, intracranial CT findings were normal in 68 (92%) and abnormal in 6 (8%). Two patients (2.7% of all patients with confirmed fractures) required hospital stays longer than 2 days; the other four patients with abnormal intracranial findings were discharged within 48hours of admission. None of the cases required surgery.

CONCLUSION

Systematic CT studies do not seem justified for all children aged <2 years with TBI and low/intermediate risk of intracranial lesions, even when they have linear skull fractures. In the absence of risk factors, we propose individualizing the imaging study based on clinical criteria.