Imaging differentiation on extra-axial fluid collections: a clinical Image.

Abstract

A 3 month – old male patient with a history of seizures presents to the Pediatric neurosurgery department with his parents, on initial evaluation a head circumference of 47.5 cm (> percentile 99 on the WHO chart) was seen. A brain MRI was performed and an extra axial fluid collections (Chronic subdural hematoma and benign external hydrocephalus) was diagnosed. His parents refer a normal delivery without any complication and the medical history and records denied any previous trauma. A neurosurgical evacuation of the subdural hematoma was performed, and a complete improvement of his seizure was seen on 3 months follow up. Benign external hydrocephalus (BEH) has been proposed as a risk factor for the presence of chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) in infants (1). The SDH formation in the presence of BEH has been reported to be a venous rupture either spontaneously or following minor trauma from the bridging veins traversing the subdural/subarachnoid space (Red arrow , image D ) that are stretched with enlarged extra?axial collections (2). Epidemiologically there are striking similarities between these entities (3) that can be differentiated by some MRI findings.The signs that help us in the differentiation are: the subarachnoid layer visible (yellow arrow image B, showing a displaced subarachnoid layer downward by a fluid between it and the dura) the absence of the cortical vein sign and the differential on fluid intensity on T1-T2 weighted images (Images A,B,C,D) (4). Surgery evacuation is necessary for the patients with chronic subdural hematoma associated with BEH and neurological signs of increased intracranial pressure like macrocrania, seizures and altered level of consciousness (Image F , showing the subdural space without hematoma and the subarachnoid layer downward it ) (5).