The key difference between subgaleal hematoma and cephalohematoma is that subgaleal hematoma is the accumulation of blood within the layers of the soft tissue of the head between galea aponeurotica and periosteum while cephalohematoma is the accumulation of blood underneath the scalp and outside the skull.
Hematoma is also known as a bad bruise. It occurs when an injury causes blood to accumulate under the skin. There are different types of hematomas, such as subdural hematoma, subgaleal hemorrhage, cephalohematoma, spinal epidural hematoma, intracranial epidural hematoma, subungual hematoma, intraabdominal hematoma, ear or aural hematoma, splenic hematoma, hepatic hematoma, etc. Therefore, subgaleal hematoma and cephalohematoma are two different types of hematoma that occur in the skull.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Subgaleal Hematoma
3. What is Cephalohematoma
4. Similarities – Subgaleal Hematoma and Cephalohematoma
5. Subgaleal Hematoma vs. Cephalohematoma in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Subgaleal Hematoma and Cephalohematoma
7. Summary – Subgaleal Hematoma vs. Cephalohematoma
What is Subgaleal Hematoma?
Subgaleal hematoma is a type of hematoma due to blood collection between the periosteum and the galea aponeurosis of the skull. Galea aponeurotica is the tough, fibrous connective tissue, and the periosteum is the membrane tissue. Subgaleal hematoma occurs when the veins, such as emissary veins, break during childbirth, especially in vaginal delivery. Moreover, symptoms of this condition may include bruising on the skin, fast heart rate, low blood pressure, pale skin tone, reduced levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit, and swelling on the head (boggy swelling). The possible complications of subgaleal hematoma are seizures, neonatal encephalopathy, and death.
Figure 01: Subgaleal Hematoma
Subgaleal hematoma can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation and imaging tests such as CT scan, ultrasound, and MRI scan. Furthermore, treatment options for subgaleal hematoma may include blood transfusion, giving saline, draining accumulated blood, and surgery.
What is Cephalohematoma?
Cephalohematoma is due to blood collection under the scalp. It may occur when blood vessels within the periosteum rupture during the use of vacuum extractors or forceps in challenging childbirth, in cases of an unusually large newborn, or during exceptionally prolonged labor. Moreover, the symptoms of this condition may include a soft bulge or bump at the back or top of the baby’s head, the skin starting off soft over the bulging area, and then hardening. The complications that result from cephalohematoma are infection, jaundice, and anemia.
Cephalohematoma can be diagnosed through physical inspection and imaging scans such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds. Furthermore, treatment options for cephalohematoma may include draining the pooled blood.
What are the Similarities Between Subgaleal Hematoma and Cephalohematoma?
- Subgaleal hematoma and cephalohematoma are two different types of hematoma that occur in the skull.
- Both conditions predominantly affect infants.
- They may cause complications.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging scans.
- They can be treated by draining the pooled blood out.
What is the Difference Between Subgaleal Hematoma and Cephalohematoma?
Subgaleal hematoma is the accumulation of blood within the layers of the soft tissue of the head between galea aponeurotica and periosteum, while cephalohematoma is the accumulation of blood underneath the scalp and outside the skull. Thus, this is the key difference between subgaleal hematoma and cephalohematoma. Furthermore, the possible complications of subgaleal hematoma are seizures, neonatal encephalopathy, and death, while the possible complications of cephalohematoma are infection, jaundice, and anemia.
The infographic below presents the differences between subgaleal hematoma and cephalohematoma in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Subgaleal Hematoma and Cephalohematoma
What is another name for a subgaleal hematoma?
Subgaleal hemorrhage is another name for subgaleal hematoma.
What are the three types of hematomas?
Subdural hematoma, epidural hematoma, and intracerebral (intraparenchymal) hematoma are the three types of hematoma.
How do you treat a subgaleal hematoma?
Hematoma normally resolves spontaneously or by using a compression bandage within a few weeks. If not, it can be treated by aspiration, surgery, or even endovascular surgery.
Summary – Subgaleal Hematoma vs. Cephalohematoma
Hematoma is defined as the collection of blood outside blood vessels. It is caused by an injury to the wall of a blood vessel and can happen anywhere in the body. Subgaleal hematoma and cephalohematoma are two different types of hematoma that occur in the skull. Both these conditions mainly affect infants. However, subgaleal hemorrhage is the accumulation of blood within the layers of the soft tissue of the head between galea aponeurotica and periosteum, while cephalohematoma is the accumulation of blood underneath the scalp and outside the skull. So, this summarizes the difference between subgaleal hematoma and cephalohematoma.
Reference:
1. Davis, D J. “Neonatal Subgaleal Hemorrhage: Diagnosis and Management.” CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal de l’Association Medicale Canadienne, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. “Newborn Cephalohematoma – Causes, Diagnosis, Symptoms.” Cerebral Palsy Guide.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Illustration depicting hemorrhages by location within the different layers of the meninges (left of image) and scalp (right of image)” By Nadezdha D. Kiriyak – Chaturvedi, A., Chaturvedi, A., Stanescu, A.L. et al. Mechanical birth-related trauma to the neonate: An imaging perspective. Insights Imaging 9, 103–118 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-017-0586-x (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia