Large Epidural Haematoma in an Infant Following a Minor Fall

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury is a relatively rare occurrence in the paediatric population; among the paediatric population, infants are less  affected than older children. Epidural haematoma (EDH) in children is also uncommon, and when it does occur, it rarely follows a minor  mechanism. This article aims to report the diagnosis and operative management of an 8-month-old infant who presented with EDH  following a minor fall and to review the current literature on this life-threatening condition. An 8-month-old female infant was admitted  with altered consciousness associated with lucid interval and one episode of generalised tonic-clonic seizures. She had an admitting  Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of 12. Acomputerised tomography scan showed a large EDH necessitating surgical evacuation. The patient  had an uneventful postoperative recovery, with Glasgow Outcome Score of 5 at discharge and 6‑month follow‑up. Due to the rare  incidence, diagnostic and management challenges posed by EDH among infants, we have decided to share the operative management of  a large EDH in an infant following minor trauma, using improvised instruments to add to the body of knowledge on this rare  condition.