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Case Reports
. 2022 May 27;2022(5):rjac225.
doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjac225. eCollection 2022 May.

Infected cephalhaematoma causing osteomyelitis: case report and literature review

Asfand Baig Mirza  1 , Timothy Boardman  2 , Samantha Ashworth  2 , Wisam Al-Faiadh  1 , Razna Ahmed  2 , José Pedro Lavrador  1 , Eleni Maratos  1 , Chris Chandler  1 , Cristina Bleil  1 , Bassel Zebian  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Infected cephalhaematoma causing osteomyelitis: case report and literature review

Asfand Baig Mirza et al. J Surg Case Rep. .

Abstract

Infected cephalhaematomas are rare and can lead to complications such as sepsis, meningitis and osteomyelitis. We present an infected cephalhaematoma in a neonate with resultant underlying osteomyelitis and a review of the literature. Our patient presented 6 days following birth with a fever and a swelling consistent with cephalhaematoma. He was managed with intravenous antibiotics and early surgical intervention. Imaging demonstrated underlying osteomyelitis. The patient made a full recovery and was discharged home on completing his antibiotic course. On reviewing the literature, it is clear that early diagnosis and treatment with surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy are associated with improved outcome and can reduce the possibility of osteomyelitis developing.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Drawing of scalp demonstrating tssshe locations of common haematomas of the scalp in relation to the different layers.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CT scan of our patient. In (A) and (B) the size of the cephalhaematoma can clearly be seen. In (C) and (D) the thinned, moth-eaten appearance of the left parietal region is well demonstrated.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Photos illustrating the clinical stigmata of infection. In (A) the region of the infected cephalhaematoma is defined by erythema and an overlying abrasion. In (B) incision is made and the purulent collection seen.
Figure 4
Figure 4
CT scan and MRI taken of the patient upon discharge. In all images, a well-defined skull with no thinning is illustrated and with a resolved haematoma.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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