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fluid filled bump

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Retained fluid in abdomen

Fluid in abdomen

jessica78233

May 20th, 2009

At about 9 weeks old,we noticed a fluid filled area on the top of my daughter's head in the crown area (behind the anterior fontanel, all the way across, and to just above the posterior fontanel).It was very movable, like a wave.Her behavior is normal,doesn't seem to bother her at all.I should also note that there is a noticable flattening to the back of her head,up to the back of the bump.

We took her to her regular Dr,who looked at it and called another dr in to look at it too.Neither seemed sure what it was,their best guess was a build up of lymphatic fluid,so they decided to send her for an u/s the next day.

The u/s was inconclusive.They could see her brain was not affected and no inflammation,they couldn't see through the actual lump so no real answer there.

She is now 11 weeks old.The bump is more or less the same, maybe a little smaller and not quite as watery.She is scheduled to see a neurologist June 2.In the meantime,I'm worried and would appreciate any ideas?

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Dr. Joel W. Steelman

replied October 21st, 2009

Your description does sound like some type of edema (swelling) in the subcutaneous tissue in the scalp. The question is why is this present for so long? Her findings may be related to some type of lymphatic malformation. An infection is unlikely given the lack of progression.

Edema could occur with prolonged head positioning in one spot as a consideration.

An alternative radiologic imaging method that would see the soft tissue and vascular structures better would be an MRI scan which your doctor or the neurologist might consider.

I think your continued discussion of concerns with her doctor is the right course. I hope that you all find an answer.

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larry13

replied February 16th, 2013

water like bump on babys head

my son is 8 weeks old and has the same water like bump on top crown of his head, so we to him to the hospital to see what it was,social sevices was called and they took all three of my children from us cause they didn't know what caused it they assumed it was abuse. I need help.

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jessica78233

replied February 16th, 2013

Wow that is awful! Well, obviously this was a long time ago, but I will tell you what I remember if it will help in any way. We took her to her June 2 neurologist appointment, and they seemed stumped as well. Because there were no other symptoms and no chnages, they opted for a wait and see approach. Any further imaging than an ultrasound at that age is often difficult and traumatic. So we waited. Then a week or so later, after she began rolling from her stomach to her back on her own, we started to let her sleep on her stomach. Within a day or two, it was GONE. Which leads me to believe that the above doctor or her pedi were right... it was some sort of edema from positioning. Get them to do an ultrasound. If it is truly the same thing it will not show what it is... but it will show what it ISN'T... they will see no inflammation and no traumatic injury to the bain, which should tell them there is NO abuse! I hope this helps somehow.

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	Tags: anterior fontanel, alternative, Pediatrics, infection, anterior, mri scan, swelling, actual, edema, brain

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