Diffuse Cerebral Swelling Following Head Injuries in Children: The Syndrome of "Malignant Brain Edema"

Citation:

Bruce DA, Alavi A, Bilaniuk L, Dolinskas C, Obrist W, Uzzell B: Diffuse cerebral swelling following head injuries in children: the syndrome of "malignant brain edema." J Neurosurg 54:170-178, February 1981.

Abstract

Notes:

• The most common CT finding in children with head injuries is diffuse cerebral swelling in both hemispheres.
• 15/45 children had a lucid period following the initial loss of consciousness.
• Posttraumatic seizures within the first 12 hours were recorded in only 16% of patients.
• "Acute, diffuse brain swelling is very frequent in children and teenagers following acceleration/ deceleration injury to the brain." (p. 17)