[Clinical and electroencephalographic findings in subdural effusions (report of 17 cases)].

The author gives an account of 17 children aged 1 month to 1;1 years, in whom uni- or bilateral subdural effusions had occurred. Etiologically, toxicoses due to infantile enteritides were made responsible in 5 cases, pneumococcic meningitides in 3 cases, and encephalitides in 3 cases. For 6 children it was not possible to obtain clear etiological results. It is emphasized that subdural effusions subsequent to toxicoses are perhaps a more frequent occurrence than has been believed heretofore. The clinical symptomatology of subdural fluid accumulations, which is described in the literature, failed to be observed in nearly all cases. E. E. G. derivations were particularly indicated under such diagnoses as propulsive petit mal and grand mal epilepsies. Electroencephalographically, the leading characteristic symptom in 13 cases was a uni- or bilateral reduction of potentials. The derivation thus provided for an almost pathognomonic interpretation. However, by reference to the electroencephalograms of 4 other children it is possible to demonstrate that, in agreement with the information and data given in the literature, it is not possible to obtain any reliable indications of subdural accumulations of fluid. Therefore, in case of doubt one should not dispense with a test puncture of the fontanel even in case of nonspecific E. E. G. variations.