Intradiploic hematoma after skull fracture: Case report and literature review

BACKGROUND Intradiploic hematoma of the skull was first reported in 1934. T he pathogenesis of this lesion is unclear. It is a very rare benign reactiv e process occurring after minor head trauma, with only seven cases reported in the literature to date. CASE DESCRIPTION A 3-year-old right hand dominant male presented with a non -tender parietal scalp swelling of a I-year duration. History included a sk ull fracture located in the same region 24 months before presentation. Neur ological examination was unremarkable. Pathological examination after curet tage of the lesion revealed features consistent with organizing hematoma. CONCLUSIONS The pathology of chronic diploic hematoma mimics aneurysmal bon e cyst, giant cell tumor, giant cell reparative granuloma, fibrous dysplasi a, eosinophilic granuloma, intradiploic epidermoid and dermoid cyst, cavern ous hemangioma, circumscribed osteomyelitis, and tuberculous granuloma. Chr onic diploic hematoma is a lesion that must be differentiated from various skull lesions both radiologically and histologically as it is amenable to t reatment with a complete cure once excised. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science In c.