A pond fracture, also known as a "ping-pong ball" fracture, is a type of depressed skull fracture commonly seen in neonates and young children. It presents as an indentation in the skull without any associated break in the bone.
Characteristics of Pond Fractures:
- Appearance: The fracture looks like an impression or indentation, similar to the dent left in a ping-pong ball when pressed.
- Age Group: Most frequently observed in infants and young children due to the increased flexibility of their skulls.
- Mechanism: Typically caused by relatively minor trauma to the head. In newborns, this can occur during labor and delivery. In older infants and children, direct trauma from a fall or impact can be the cause.
- Underlying Brain Injury: While a pond fracture itself may not always be severe, it's important to evaluate for any underlying brain injury.
- Treatment: Depending on the severity and presence of associated symptoms or neurological deficits, treatment options range from observation to surgical elevation of the depressed bone fragment.
Causes of Pond Fractures:
- Neonates: Labor and obstetric trauma (e.g., use of forceps or vacuum extraction) can result in pond fractures.
- Infants and Children: Direct head trauma, such as falls or accidental impacts.
Clinical Significance:
Although pond fractures themselves are often not surgically significant, it's critical to assess for other injuries such as:
- Intracranial hemorrhage: Bleeding within the skull.
- Brain contusions: Bruising of the brain tissue.
- Other skull fractures: Linear fractures or more complex skull injuries.
In summary, a pond fracture represents a depressed skull fracture, often resembling an indentation, primarily seen in young children and newborns, requiring careful evaluation to rule out underlying brain injuries.
