Fluctuant Mass on an Infant’s Scalp

Abstract

A term infant has the following scalp examination [click on the video]. Of the options shown in Fig 1A (A, B, C, or D) of the top of an infant’s head, what is the most likely location of the involved area in this infant? Video. Click here to view the video. Figure 1A. Locations for potential collections that are exterior and interior to an infant’s skull. The video of this newborn shows a moderate-to-large fluctuant mass gathered in the dependent portion of the neonate’s scalp. Upon gentle tapping of the boggy collection, there is a clearly visible fluid wave. This finding is most consistent with a subgaleal hemorrhage. Subgaleal hemorrhage is a serious, potentially fatal event in a newborn. It is caused by the rupture of large, bridging, emissary veins that connect the scalp veins to the intracranial dural sinuses. When these veins rupture, blood accumulates between the periosteum and the galeal aponeurotica, a large potential space composed of loose connective tissue. This space extends without restriction across the cranium and can hold as much as 260 mL of blood. (1) (Note: The average total blood volume in a term infant is 80–90 mL/kg.) A hemorrhage of …