An Experimental Chronic Subdural Hematoma in Dogs — with a Brain Atrophy Model

Abstract

A new model of chronic subdural hematoma In dogs with brain atrophy is described. In reviewing clinical cases, we considered the possibility that brain atrophy may play a role as one of the causative factors. The cisterna magna of adult mongrel dogs was punctured, and 10–15 ml of cerebrospinal fluid was drained. Subsequently, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) 1mg/kg body weight dissolved in artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing 0.01% ascorbic acid, was injected into the cisterna magna. Marked ventricular enlargement was confirmed by computerized tomography (CT) three to four weeks later, at which time fresh autologous blood (2–3 ml) was inoculate into subdural space. Progressively enlarging hematomas were found by CT in four of the 10 dogs two to four weeks later. Gross and histological examinations of the hematomas revealed a condition closely resembling human chronic subdural hematoma. Two of the dogs showed drastic deterioration four weeks after subdural inoculation of blood. In these brain atrophy models, chronic subdural hematomas were experimentally reproduced at a high rate. The results suggest that brain atrophy may play an important role in the formation of chronic subdural hematoma.