Posterior fossa extradural hematoma - clinical presentation and outcome

Abstract

Background: Posterior Fossa Extra Dural Hematoma (PFEDH) is a rare entity but certain crucial structures are supposed to be injured. Because of limited space in the posterior fossa, a clinical small volume of hematoma can deteriorate patients. Therefore timely diagnosis and prompt intervention are required.
 Objective: This study is done to analyse factors like demographic profile, mode of injury, clinical features in relation to PFEDH and its management and how they influence the outcome.
 Materials & methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients who presented with PFEDH from July 2016 to July 2021 at RNT Medical College and M.B. group of Hospitals Udaipur, India. Patients were evaluated on the basis of demographic profile, mode of injuries, GCS on admission & discharge, and associated radiological findings.
 Result: A total of 25 patients with PFEDH were included in this study. Amongst these, 18 (72%) were males, and10 (40%) were less than 18 years of age. On admission 19 (76%) had GCS 13-15.22 (88%) patients underwent surgery and 3 (12%) were planned for conservative management. At 6-month follow-up, 22 (88%) patients had good outcomes with GOS 3-5 and 1 was lost to follow up while 2 (8%) had poor outcomes with GOS 1-2.
 Conclusion: GCS on admission is a good predictor of outcome. The volume of EDH was one of the key factors in deciding the line of management. PFEDH can sometimes be rapidly fatal due to expansion of hematoma and compression of posterior cranial fossa space which leads to brain stem compression therefore time management is the most important factor for a good outcome.