Intradiploic growing skull fracture: review of mechanisms and literature.

PURPOSE: A rare case of intradiploic growing fracture of the occipital bone is presented. Examination of this case and literature review was carried out to find significant specific features of such a rare condition.

CASE: A 4-year-old boy was operated on for a huge occipital intradiploic growing skull fracture. His medical history, surgical management, and postoperative course are presented.

LITERATURE REVIEW: A computer literature search using the Medline database revealed 31 well-documented cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Special attention must be paid to skull fractures in childhood when occurring near CSF large spaces, especially if ventricle enlargement, suggesting that hydrocephalus is present. Surgeons should evaluate hydrocephalus before treating such lesions in order to improve surgical result and postoperative clinical evolution.