Calvarial fracture patterns on CT imaging predict risk of a delayed epidural hematoma following decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

The development of a delayed epidural hematoma as a result of decompressive craniectomy represents an urgent and potentially lethal complication in traumatic brain injury. The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of delayed epidural hematoma and whether patterns of skull fractures on the preoperative CT scan could predict risk of a delayed epidural hematoma.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively evaluated medical records and imaging studies for patients with acute traumatic brain injury who underwent a decompressive craniectomy during a 9-year period. We compared patterns of skull fractures contralateral to the side of the craniectomy with the occurrence of a postoperative delayed epidural hematoma.

Results

In a series of 203 pat

SUBMITTER: Talbott JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7966253 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature