Risk of Cervical Spine Injury and Other Complications Seen with Skull Fractures in the Setting of Mild Closed Head Injury in Young Children: A Retrospective Study

• Published in: Pediatric neurosurgery Vol. 44; no. 2; pp. 124 - 127
• Main Authors: Kim, Peter D., Jennings, Jennifer S., Fisher, Mariah, Siddiqui, Adnan H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.01.2008
• Subjects: Cervical Vertebrae - pathology; Child, Preschool; Follow-Up Studies; Fractures; Head injuries; Head Injuries, Closed - complications; Head Injuries, Closed - epidemiology; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Neurosurgery; Original Paper; Pediatrics; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Skull Fractures - complications; Skull Fractures - epidemiology; Spinal cord injuries; Spinal Injuries - epidemiology; Spinal Injuries - etiology; Nonaccidental trauma; Skull fracture; Cervical spine
• ISSN: 1016-2291; 1423-0305
• DOI: 10.1159/000113114

We have reviewed records for patients under 2 years of age who presented at our hospital with mild closed head injuries and nondisplaced skull fractures, specifically to examine methods utilized for spine clearance, associated cervical injuries, involvement and findings of child protective services and delayed complications. Of 42 patients included in the series, none were found to have cervical spine injuries. Child protective services were involved in 12 cases with confirmatory findings and subsequent placement occurring in 2 cases. There were no serious delayed complications in this series of patients. AP and lateral plain films of the cervical spine are nonetheless recommended until larger prospective studies suggest otherwise.