Abstract: Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of posttraumatic cerebral massive infarction in children. Methods 68 cases were reviewed. Results There were 43 cases complicated with subarachnoid hemorrhage, 37 with brain contusion, 48 with fracture of skull,and the hematoma was subdural in 29 cases, epidural in 16 cases, and intracerebral in 14 cases. Other complications included fracture of limbs (24/68), thoracic or abdominal injury (15/68), and hemorrhagic shock (30/68). The infarction were found mostly in the first 7 d (range 2 h~13 d), and 32 cases within 4~7 d after the trauma. The outcome when discharged (according to the Glasgow outcome scale) was good recovery in 32 cases, moderate disability in 15 cases, severe disability in 9 cases, vegetative state in 4 cases, and 8 cases died. Conclusion The feature of the posttraumatic cerebral massive infarction in children is usually concealed by primary injury. CT and MRI are the bases for diagnosis.The outcome may be better than in the adults when early diagnosis and intervention has been produced.

Key words: brain traumatic injury, massive cerebral infarction, intracranial hematoma, children