NeuroradiologyGrowing fracture
radiological term which describes a progressive enlargement of a linear skull
fracture, that does not heal. This is due to the interposition of the
meninges between the diastatic bones preventing osteoblasts from migrating across the
fracture. At the same time, pulsating
CSF causes progressive enlargement of the
fracture and extension of the
meninges extracranially. The associated meningeal anomaly is called a "leptomeningeal
cyst".
On plain films, the growing fracture appears as a radiolucent linear space with distinct bony margins, which resembles a lytic calvarial lesion.
CT and MR may show the underlying CSF cyst and meningeal tear.
GS