Conservative Management of Large Traumatic Supratentorial Epidural Hematoma in the Pediatric Population

Background/Aims: Conservative management of traumatic epidural hematomas is being recognized as a safe alternative to surgical treatment in asymptomatic children. There is still debate about the maximal size of epidural hematoma that should be tolerated before deciding for surgery. Methods: We report - through a retrospective cohort study from a single institution - a series of 16 conservatively managed traumatic epidural hematomas of more than 15 mm thickness. Results: 14 patients (88%) were successfully treated using conservative management. Two patients required surgery. These 2 patients had the only 2 documented high-velocity injury mechanisms. All patients had a Glasgow Outcome Scale of 5/5 on follow-up. Conclusion: Conservative management with close observation is a safe alternative even in this population of voluminous hematomas. Injury velocity may be a contributing factor for failure of conservative management in this population.