Subgaleal hematoma etiology

Subgaleal hematoma most commonly occurs after vacuum assisted delivery, but may also be seen following head trauma.

The etiology of subgaleal hematoma includes mild traumatic brain injury, vacuum assisted delivery, contusion, and hair braiding or pulling.

SGH is an uncommon phenomenon that is caused by tearing of the emissary veins in the loose areolar tissue located beneath the galeal aponeurosis 1).

May occur without bony trauma, or may be associated with linear nondisplaced skull fracture (especially in age < 1 yr).

1)
Chen CE, Liao ZZ, Lee YH, Liu CC, Tang CK, Chen YR. Subgaleal Hematoma at the Contralateral Side of Scalp Trauma in an Adult. J Emerg Med. 2017 Nov;53(5):e85-e88. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2017.06.007. Epub 2017 Sep 20. PMID: 28941556.