Spontaneously infected cephalohematoma: Case report and review of the literature

Spontaneously infected cephalohematomas are rare occurrences; only five cas es have been reported previously. Uninfected cephalohematomas are common an d usually resolve without treatment. However, physicians should be aware th at cephalohematomas are potential sites for infection and may require aspir ation for diagnosis and treatment. Untreated infected cephalohematomas may lead to osteomyelitis, epidural abscess, or subdural empyema. We present a case of a spontaneously infected cephalohematoma with an associated osteomy elitis which was successfully managed with drainage and long-term antibioti cs. A review of the literature is also presented.