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What Causes Copper Beaten Skull?

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Posted on Wed, 27 May 2015
Question: what is copper beaten skull? and what causes it?
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Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Raised intracranial pressure must be excluded.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

Usually the inner surface of the skull is smooth. Copper beaten skull is the term used for a finding where it is not smooth but has inner markings, which correspond to the form of the brain gyri, the ridges on the outer surface of the brain, which have been compressing this inner surface of the skull creating those markings.

Now the causes can be several, any process which results in increased pressure inside the skull could cause that appearance, such as a tumor, accumulation of fluid in the brain due to blockage in its circulation from an infection or a hemorrhage, a condition called craniosynostosis (premature closure of the cranial sutures in childhood).

There is also a percentage of cases where it is seen in completely normal patients, so it could be nothing to worry about, perhaps if you said something more on your symptoms and their evolution in time, as well as past conditions I might be able to say something more.

If all you've had is a xray, further tests are necessary to search for those raised pressure causes, ideally a MRI, but a cat scan of the head with contrast is useful as well if MRI is not available.

I remain at your disposal for further questions, possibly with the additional info I mentioned above.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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What Causes Copper Beaten Skull?

Brief Answer: Raised intracranial pressure must be excluded. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. Usually the inner surface of the skull is smooth. Copper beaten skull is the term used for a finding where it is not smooth but has inner markings, which correspond to the form of the brain gyri, the ridges on the outer surface of the brain, which have been compressing this inner surface of the skull creating those markings. Now the causes can be several, any process which results in increased pressure inside the skull could cause that appearance, such as a tumor, accumulation of fluid in the brain due to blockage in its circulation from an infection or a hemorrhage, a condition called craniosynostosis (premature closure of the cranial sutures in childhood). There is also a percentage of cases where it is seen in completely normal patients, so it could be nothing to worry about, perhaps if you said something more on your symptoms and their evolution in time, as well as past conditions I might be able to say something more. If all you've had is a xray, further tests are necessary to search for those raised pressure causes, ideally a MRI, but a cat scan of the head with contrast is useful as well if MRI is not available. I remain at your disposal for further questions, possibly with the additional info I mentioned above.