A report of two 'traumatic encephaloceles'; an unrecognized entity.

PURPOSE: An unusual complication following severe head trauma in two infants is described.

METHOD: 'Acute traumatic encephalocele' or 'extracalvarial herniation' is presented as an entity, different from 'growing skull fracture'.

RESULTS

The acuteness of presentation and non-progressive calvarial fracture aperture, along with increasing size of herniated contents is the hall-mark of such pathology.

CONCLUSION

Repair of dural defect with a patch after excision of gliosed brain provides satisfactory outcome.