Presentation
Abrupt episode of unresponsiveness, GCS 3. Previous episode of respiratory arrest 4 months prior.
Patient Data
Acute hemorrhage in the right sylvian fissure, with additional subarachnoid and intraventricular hemorrhage. Thin acute subdural hematoma along the falx and tentorium. Possible left retinal hemorrhage. Possible cerebral edema.
Case Discussion
This child had a first episode of respiratory arrest at age 2 months. At that time a routine head CT was unremarkable, a lumbar puncture revealed 17 RBC and 5 WBC with normal protein and glucose.
This child died shortly after admission to the hospital. Autopsy demonstrated cerebral edema, subarachnoid and subdural hemorrhages as well as retinal hemorrhage. Examination of the circle of Willis did not demonstrate an aneurysm.