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Delayed subaponeurotic fluid collection (DSFC): systematic review and case report

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Abstract

Purpose

DSFC (delayed subaponeurotic fluid collection) is a benign pathology associated with the first weeks of life and scarcely described in the literature. Normally characterized by a lack of trauma and/or cranial fracture, it is associated with a history of instrumental delivery and the use of fetal electrodes. Taking it in consideration in the differential diagnosis of neonatal scalp swelling becomes important. The objective of this work is to expand knowledge on this entity: history, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment.

Methods

This article describes a new clinical case and conducts a systematic review according to the PRISMA criteria.

Results

Sixty-seven cases are included, they are summarized in a table.

Conclusions

DSFC appears generally 15–16 weeks after birth. The diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on a history of instrumental birth, labor dystocia, or trauma, and with compatible symptoms and evolution. It may be supported by complementary tests such as ultrasound and or CT of the skull in doubtful cases. The treatment of choice is only conservative, and all cases resolve spontaneously and completely after an average of 4 weeks.

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Data availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

Abbreviations

DSFC:

Delayed subaponeurotic fluid collection

CT:

Computed tomography

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

EEG:

Electroencephalogram

GCS:

Glasgow Coma Scale

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurosurgery Department, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain

    Laura Cid Mendes, Andoni García Martín, Laura Ruiz Martín, Patricia Alejandra Garrido Ruiz, Disney Ramón Rodríguez Cedeño, Andrea Belén Carpio Bohorque & Juan Carlos Roa Montes de Oca

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  1. Laura Cid Mendes
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  2. Andoni García Martín
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  3. Laura Ruiz Martín
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  4. Patricia Alejandra Garrido Ruiz
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  5. Disney Ramón Rodríguez Cedeño
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  6. Andrea Belén Carpio Bohorque
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  7. Juan Carlos Roa Montes de Oca
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Contributions

L.C.M and A.G.M revised articles. L.R.M, A.O.R, D.R.R.C, P.A.G.R and J.C.R.M.O contributed in prepared this article, prepared the figures and tables.

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Correspondence to Laura Cid Mendes.

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Cid Mendes, L., García Martín, A., Ruiz Martín, L. et al. Delayed subaponeurotic fluid collection (DSFC): systematic review and case report. Childs Nerv Syst (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-024-06364-1

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