Posterior fossa extradural hematomas in children.

Posterior fossa extradural hematomas (PFEHs) are less frequent than supratentorial extradural hematomas. 9 children operated on for PFEH are reported. There were 5 boys and 4 girls aged from 1 to 16 years. The mode of injury was fall in 6 and traffic accident in 3 cases. Diagnosis of PFEH was made by computed tomography (CT) scanning in 8 cases. In 1 patient, who deteriorated suddenly, respiratory arrest developed before surgery, and the patient died in spite of evacuation of the hematoma. CT scanning enables early diagnosis and reveals the associated supratentorial lesions. Prompt surgical evacuation of PFEHs is the treatment of choice.