Differential Diagnosis for Head Injury with Swelling at Site of Impact
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Cephalohematoma: This is the most likely diagnosis given the symptoms. A cephalohematoma is a collection of blood between the skull and its outer covering, often caused by a head injury, and it typically presents as a swelling at the site of impact.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Subgaleal hematoma: This condition involves bleeding into the space between the skull and the scalp, which can cause swelling. It's a possible diagnosis but less specific to the site of impact compared to cephalohematoma.
- Scalp hematoma: A collection of blood under the scalp, which can occur due to trauma and cause swelling at the site of injury.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.):
- Epidural hematoma: Although less common and not always presenting with external swelling, an epidural hematoma is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. It involves bleeding between the skull and the dura mater, which can lead to increased intracranial pressure.
- Subdural hematoma: Similar to an epidural hematoma, a subdural hematoma involves bleeding beneath the dura mater but above the brain's surface. It's critical to diagnose and treat promptly to prevent severe complications or death.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Leptomeningeal cyst: A rare condition where there is a tear in the dura mater, allowing cerebrospinal fluid to leak and potentially causing swelling. It's less common and might not be the first consideration but should be kept in mind for atypical presentations.
- Osteomyelitis of the skull: An infection of the skull bone, which could potentially cause swelling and might be considered in cases where the swelling does not resolve as expected or is accompanied by signs of infection.