This protocol addresses nontraumatic intracranial epidural haemorrhage (IEH) in neonates where a cephalohematoma communicates directly with the intracranial epidural haematoma, and the infant presents without neurological signs or symptoms.
It has been described that between 61% and 70% of IEH in young children coexist with cephalohematoma, and half of these have communication between them — making this a well-recognised neonatal presentation.
The defining feature of this scenario is the anatomical communication between the external cephalohematoma and the intracranial epidural hematoma, in a newborn who remains neurologically intact. This combination opens a specific management pathway distinct from standard surgical approaches.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1796652
It has been described that between 61% to 70% of IEH in young children coexist with cephalohematoma, and half of these have communication between them.
Smets and Vanhanwaert suggest that in the absence of neurological signs and symptoms, aspiration of the cephalohematoma to drain the communicating IEH in newborns can avoid a more aggressive surgical intervention.
In cases of neonates, needle aspiration guided by transcranial ultrasound can be performed with excellent results.