Int J Surg Case Rep. 2025 Jul 14;133:111681. doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.111681. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Subgaleal hematoma (SGH) is the collection of blood in a space covered by the galea aponeurotica. We report 2 cases of Subgaleal hematoma due to 2 distinct causes.
CASE PRESENTATION: We present 2 cases of subgaleal hematoma; the first case is of a 6-year-old girl with scalp swelling for 20 days and fever for 2 days secondary to hair pulling. She had a 6*6 cm soft, fluctuant, non-mobile, and tender swelling in the left temporoparietal region. Leukocytosis was present on blood examination, and the patient was managed with aspiration and evacuation of the hematoma. She was discharged on oral antibiotics and is completely fine during the follow-up visit 2 weeks post-surgery. The second case is of a 6-year-old boy with scalp swelling following a fall injury from a height. He had no prior hematological disorders, and no signs of physical abuse were present. He was managed conservatively, and the swelling subsided within 2 weeks.
DISCUSSION: While SGH is a frequently described condition in neonates, there are a few cases describing it in older children. It can be traumatic secondary to minor blunt trauma, like hair pulling or braiding, and non-traumatic due to coagulopathies or arterial rupture. Management is done conservatively unless features of complications are present.
CONCLUSION: SGH can also occur beyond the neonatal period, so it should be considered a differential diagnosis of scalp swelling in children.
PMID:40663965 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijscr.2025.111681
