Scalp swelling crossing the suture line on skull radiograph: is it always a sign of caput succedaneum?

Abstract

Caput succedaneum is the soft swelling of the neonatal scalp that may extend over the suture line, as opposed to cephalhaematoma, which is restricted by the suture. However, if caput succedaneum and cephalhaematoma coexist and the swelling crosses the suture line, it may be diagnosed as caput succedaneum and the cephalhaematoma will be easily missed, both on the radiograph and clinically. We report an interesting MR finding in a neonate who simultaneously showed both caput succedaneum and cephalhaematoma.