Pericranial sinus Q01.2

Stromeyer, 1850

The sinus pericranii presents itself as a mostly congenital (only in very rare cases traumatically acquired) abnormal communication between the intracranial sinus system and the extracranial venous system, with an imperfect formation of the outer bone lamella being clearly palpable. The communication may be hemodynamically relevant and act as a venous replacement outflow.

Unsolved. Due to the frequent occurrence with other malformations, such as cranioostoses, vein-galeniii hypoplasia or "developmental venous anomalies", a congenital cause should be considered.

The malformation presents as a 2.0-3.0 cm large, soft indolent, mostly asymptomatic swelling. Normal hairline. However, in case of injury it can lead to major bleeding, sinus thrombosis or air embolism

Operative procedure is not absolutely necessary. Evaluation by neurosurgeons.

1. Mezger A et al (2018) Sinus pericranii-occipital soft tissue swelling in an infant. Derm 24: 138-144
2. Stromeyer, over pericranial sinus. German Hospital, 1850, p.160.