Contralateral acute subdural hematoma after surgical evacuation of the initial hematoma: two case reports and review of the literature

Abstract

Remote intracranial hemorrhages after craniotomy or craniectomy may rarely develop. As the sparse literature on this phenomenon has focused on contralateral intraparenchymal and epidural clots, only seven cases of postoperative contralateral acute subdural hematomas have been reported in the literature. We presented two patients who developed contralateral acute subdural hematomas after surgical evacuation of their initial hematomas. Case 1: A 19-year-old male fell from a height. CT scan revealed a left parietal acute epidural hematoma. A left craniotomy and epidural hematoma evacuation were performed; however, the brain expanded towards the craniotomy site. Dural incision revealed a thick subdural hematoma. Evacuation of the subdural hematoma was performed. The bone flap was not replaced. An emergency CT scan revealed a right acute subdural hematoma, and a right decompressive craniectomy and hematoma evacuation were performed. Case 2: A 7-year-old boy was hit by a motor vehicle. CT scan revealed a right frontotemporal acute subdural hematoma. A right decompressive craniectomy and subdural hematoma evacuation were performed; however, the brain expanded towards the craniectomy site. An emergency CT scan revealed a left acute subdural hematoma. We also reviewed the literature and discussed about these characteristics.