Presentation
Patient brought in by parents for persistent swelling of the left parietal skull
Patient Data
1) A well-defined convex, calcified lesion measuring approximately 4.5 cm in maximum transverse diameter and 6 mm in maximum thickness in the left parietal region; is most compatible with a calcified cephalohematoma. The cephalohematoma does not cross the sagittal suture, as expected.
2) Both orbits and bone density appear normal, and no other lesion is visualized.
Case Discussion
A cephalohematoma is a collection of subperiosteal blood which is often related to instrument-assisted vaginal delivery. They present as soft tissue swelling in the newborn which does not cross suture lines. Usually, cephalohematomas resolve spontaneously over weeks but complications such as calcification or infection may require intervention.
This case was submitted with supervision and input from:
Soni C. Chawla, M.D.
Health Sciences Clinical Professor,
Department of Radiological Sciences,
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.
Attending Pediatric Radiologist,
Olive View - UCLA Medical Center.