Growing Skull Fracture in Posterior Cranial Fossa

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In this case, a young boy aged 15 years had a swelling at the back of his head since 5 years. He had normal birth history and his neurological examination was also normal. مواقع ربح المال Upon taking history he revealed that 5 years ago he had fallen from height and suffered from a linear occipital fracture. Shortly after the incident a mass appeared at the site of fracture which continued to swell. 5 years later, it had reached a considerable size of 12 cm × 7 cm × 4 cm. Since 2 weeks, he had dull headache in the occipital region. It always becomes a matter of survival in such cases!

CT Scan Results

CT scan revealed a mass containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Moreover, the bone density between inner and outer tables of occipital bone had reduced severely. Close study of results showed defect in the inner table. Therefore, the mass was in direct connection with fourth ventricle as well.

CT Scan

MRI Results

MRI was necessary to confirm the details. It also revealed a CSF-filled mass which is in connection with fourth ventricle. The history of trauma to head and results of imaging scans helped in diagnosing the patient with Growing Skull Fracture (GSF) in posterior fossa. Screening of the cervical spine showed syringomyelia extending from craniovertebral junction (CVJ) to C3 vertebral body level.

Growing skull fracture: MRI
MRI images

GSF most commonly occurs in parietal bone. Its occurrence in temporal or occipital bone is extremely rare. The muscles surrounding the temporal and occipital bones prevent the development and progress of any mass. Involvement of occipital bone makes this case rare but the coexistence of syringomyelia makes this case rarer. This condition is so rare that there are less than ten cases reported. In pediatric surgery, this is the seventh case of GSF.

What are Growing Skull Fractures (GSF)?

Growing skull fractures (GSF) are a complication which mainly occurs after a few months of severe head injury.  Leptomeningeal cysts, another name for growing skull fractures, occur at the site of encephalomalacia. However, it is necessary to understand that cyst is a misnomer as there is no cyst but an extension of encephalomalacia. Encephalomalacia is the softening of brain tissue after a head injury. مواقع القمار العالمية When softening of brain tissue increases it is called growing skull fracture or leptomeningeal cysts. This condition clinically presents with dizziness, headache and ataxia.

Generally speaking, leptomeningeal cysts develop when there is a fracture in the inner table of a bone while the outer table remains intact. With fracture there is also laceration of the dura matter which results in accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in a sac. Arachnoid matter lines the leptomeningeal cysts. This mostly occurs when there is a trauma to the head which commonly includes falling from height and being hit by a blunt object with force. العاب الكازينو مجانا

Surgical treatment

In this case, surgeons repaired the defect in bone and dura matter. In surgical approach, watertight repair of the dural defect was done using pericranium and then reinforced with fibrin glue. Defect of the outer table was repaired using Osteomesh. Osteomesh is a bioresorbable implant which promotes vascular and tissue growth. The patient recovered well without any complications.

Growing skull fracture
 Intraoperative photograph 
Growing skull fracture
a) Watertight repair b)Use of Osteomesh

6 months later MRI of cervical spine showed reduction in the size of syrinx.

Growing skull fracture: Post-o

SOURCEAsian Journal of Neurosurgery
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Kashmala Khan is a student of Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery at Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC), Pakistan. She is an amalgam of medicine and literature. Her inquisitive nature towards health-oriented issues ignited her interest to pursue medical writing. Kashmala owns deep interest in literature. She is an avid reader of novels and newspapers since young age and equally adores spending time under open sky to let the nature cherish her leisure. Currently, she is immersed in the student life that happens to occupy most part of her day. Years later from today, she sees herself as a recognized medical professional.

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