HEENT Disorders Flashcards
Normal birth head size
32-38 cm
HC growth in first year
12 cm (6 cm at 0-3 mo, 3 cm at 4-6 mo, 3 cm at 6-12 mo)
Microcephaly
HC < 2 SD below mean for age, sex, gestation, or HC percentiles dropping with age
Microcephaly etiology + S/S
- Genetic chromosomal disorders (familial or genetic syndrome)
- Acquired from noxious causes in utero or first 2 years of life (TORCH infections, maternal substance use, fetal exposure to radiation, placental insufficiency, prenatal hypoxia, trauma, maternal hypoglycemia, degenerative diseases: Tay-Sachs, poor nutrition first 6 mo, alcohol use, inadequate prenatal care, AA)
S/S: small head in full term birth - 6 mo old; chest circumference > HC; delayed development; neurologic problems; mental retardation; family hx
Microcephaly DDx + physical findings
DDx:
- Craniosynostosis
- Endocrine dx (hypothyroidism, hypopituitary)
- Severe malnutrition
- Small infant
Findings:
- early fontanel closure; prominent cranial sutures
- marked downward-sloped forehead with narrowed temporal diameter + occipital flattening (familial)
- skull asymmetries, high arched palate, dysplastic teeth (chromosomal disorders)
Microcephaly diagnostic tests + mgmt/tx
Diagnostics:
- karyotyping for chromosomal disorders (fragile X)
- antibody titers for TORCH infections of mom/child
- test infant serum + urine for amino/organic acids
- CT or MRI to detect calcification, malformations, atrophy
Mgmt/Tx:
- Complete history + physical findings to find origin (hypopituitarism, severe protein-calorie malnutrition)
- Most are untreatable; appropriate genetic/family counseling
- Supportive mgmt, early placement in program for development of mental retardation
Macrocephaly
HC > 2 SD from mean for age, sex, gestation or HC increasing too rapidly
Macrocephaly etiology + S/S
- Hydrocephalus: > CSF
- Intracranial lesions: neoplasms, subdural effusions
- Skull enlargement: primary skeletal dysplasia
- Increased brain size (megalencephaly): r/t neurofibromatosis
Normal variants:
- Familial macrocephaly: benign family trait
- Large infant: all growth parameters high
S/S: excessive head growth, depends on cause (hydrocephalus)
Macrocephaly DDx + physical findings
DDx:
- Benign macrocephaly: familial or catch-up growth in thriving premie
- Pathological macrocephaly
Findings:
- Progressive head growth > 2 SD above mean
- Skull transillumination may reveal chronic subdural effusions, hydrocephaly, or large cystic defects
- Enlarged anterior fontanel/tense with wide suture lines
- Dependent on cause: increased ICP, developmental delays, skeletal dysplasia, ocular abnormalities, skin findings (cafe au lait)
Macrocephaly diagnostic tests + mgmt/tx
Diagnostics:
- CT, MRI or ultrasonography of anterior fontanel (if open) to define structural cause & assess operability
- Skull xrays provide indirect info (changes seen with increased ICP, skeletal dysplasias, or calcifications)
Mgmt/tx:
- CT, MRI, ultrasound of head if any S/S of increased ICP
- Surgical correction of underlying cause (shunt placement with hydrocephalus or tumor resection)
- Genetic counseling
Hydrocephalus
Increased CSF in cerebral ventricles & ventricular enlargement
Hydrocephalus etiology
CSF obstruction anywhere from ventricles (produced) to subarachnoid space (reabsorption area)
Causes:
- congenital d/t primary cerebral malformation
- acquired postnatally sec to tumor, hemorrhage, CNS infection (meningitis)
- choroid plexus papilloma: CSF overproduction (rare)
Types:
A. Obstructive or noncommunicating:
-Major cause
-Obstruction within ventricular system including Sylvius aqueduct & 4th ventricle
-Congenital defects (most common cause) – isolated in aqueductal stenosis or from syndrome Arnold-Chiari & Dandy-Walker)
-Acquired conditions – common tumor complication
B. Nonobstructive or communicating:
- Impaired CSF absorption in subarachnoid space
- Scarring from subarachnoid hemorrhage (intraventricular hemorrhage in premature infant) or meningitis
Hydrocephalus S/S + DDx
0-12 mo S/S: apparent large head, sluggish feeding, vomiting, piercing cry, irritability
12 mo-teens S/S: increased ICP signs, HA post sleep, lethargy, irritability, confusion, personality changes, possible decline in academics, vision changes (papilledema), possible 6th nerve palsies
DDx:
- macrocephaly
- megalencephaly
- benign large head
- macrocrania
- meningitis
- sepsis
- tumor
Hydrocephalus findings, diagnostics, tx
Infancy physical findings: bulging anterior fontanel, scalp vein distention, bossing, “setting sun sign,” separated skull sutures, slow PERRL, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, spasticity
Childhood findings: strabismus, extrapyramidal tract signs (ataxia), papilledema, optic atrophy, growth failure r/t endocrine
Diagnostic tests:
- Cranial radiography - separated sutures
- CT scan/ultrasound - impaired CSF circulation = ventricular enlargement
- Ventriculography - obstruction detection
Tx:
- Most require extracranial shunts (VP)
- Tx underlying cause (mass, lesion, inflammation, infection, vasogenic edema)
- Anticipatory guidance throughout: support group referrals, teach ICP s/s, daily HC measurements, psychomotor challenges mgmt
Caput succedaneum
Diffuse soft tissue swelling of newborn’s scalp (crosses suture line with some bruising)
Caput succedaneum etiology + S/S
Caused by compression or trauma to scalp during vaginal delivery (scalp edema)
S/S: non-pitting swelling of scalp (present at birth), overlies occipital bones & some parietal bones, some bruising, often molding but disappears within first few days of life
Caput succedaneum DDx, diagnostics, mgmt
DDx: cephalohematoma, subgaleal hematoma
Diagnostics: NONE
Mgmt: self-limiting within few days; may require phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia if lots of bruising
Cephalohematoma
Subperiosteal collection of blood within suture lines, often around parietal bones
Cephalohematoma etiology + S/S
About 2% of all deliveries secondary to trauma from difficult delivery (LGA, prolonged labor, forceps, abnormal presentation). Uncommonly d/t coagulopathy or intracranial hemorrhage
S/S: not evident at birth but presents hours-days post delivery, limited to suture margins, usually unilateral, may prolong neonatal jaundice
Cephalohematoma DDx, findings, diagnostics, mgmt
DDx: caput succedaneum, cranial meningocele
Findings: nonecchymotic swelling of parietal area not crossing suture line, soft, fluctuant
Diagnostics: NONE
Mgmt: slowly self-limiting over few weeks-months
- Calcification of hematoma possible; may be felt as bony prominence
- monitor hyperbilirubinemia
Craniosynostosis
Premature closure of 1+ of cranial sutures leading to skull deformity
Sutures normally remain open until 2-3 yo
Craniosynostosis etiology + S/S
Primary: pathology at suture line, sometimes d/t genetic syndrome
Secondary: underlying brain pathology (microcephaly)
S/S: abnormal head shape, no s/s unless part of genetic syndrome or multiple suture closes, rarely ICP s/s