Burr Hole Drainage Research Articles

Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Burr Hole Drainage for Chronic Subdural Hematoma: Four Case Reports

Intracranial Hemorrhage Following Burr Hole Drainage for Chronic Subdural Hematoma: Four Case Reports

Fibrinolytic-Facilitated Chronic Subdural Hematoma Drainage—A Systematic Review

The current treatment options for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) include burr hole drainage, twist drill drainage, and craniotomy with or without postoperative catheter drainage. Although generally effective, these treatments have continued to be complicated by recurrence, especially in partially hemolyzed or septated hematomas. Recently, interest in the use of fibrinolytic agents as an adjunct to surgical treatment to address this limitation has been increasing. We conducted a systematic review, focusing on the efficacy and safety profile of fibrinolytic agents and compared the different fibrinolytic agents. The PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for trials relevant to fibrinolytic administration in the treatment of CSDH. The findings are reported in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. The data from 1702 subjects from 6 retrospective observational studies were qualitatively analyzed. In addition, we included 11 case series and reports for discussion. For 1449 patients, the use of urokinase or tissue plasminogen activator improved hematoma drainage and shortened the hospital stay (7.04 days), with an overall hematoma recurrence rate of 1.59%. The incidence of infection, seizure, and intracranial bleeding was 3.18%, 0.80%, and 0.41%, respectively, which compared favorably with previously reported findings for surgical drainage without the use of fibrinolytic agents. The routine use of intrathecal urokinase and tissue plasminogen activator could be a new direction in the management of CSDH. Conclusive clinical evidence is lacking, however, and further prospective controlled studies are warranted to confirm the benefit and safety of this treatment strategy and to identify the optimal agent and dosing regimen.

Mortality and Outcome in Patients Older Than 80 Years of Age Undergoing Burr-Hole Drainage of Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Chronic subdural hematoma is frequently seen within the elderly population and neurosurgeons are confronted with patients older than 80 years presenting with symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma. However, data on surgical outcome are scarce. The aim of this study is to analyze the mortality and outcome after burr-hole drainage in patients older than 80 years. This is a single-center retrospective study including patients who underwent burr-hole drainage of chronic subdural hematoma between the years 2016 and 2019. The cohort was divided into 3 age groups (80-84 years; 85-89 years; >90 years). Primary outcome was 30-day and overall mortality, whereas secondary outcome measures were recurrence rates, postoperative bleeding rates, and outcome measured by the modified ranking scale. Uni- and multivariate analysis was conducted to assess for potential risk factors for mortality, recurrence and postoperative bleeding rates. In total, 107 patients with a mean age of 85.5 ± 3.9 years were included. Mortality rate was less than 10% in each group, showing no significant difference between them (P= 0.455). No significant difference in recurrence and postoperative bleeding rates was seen (P= 0.491 and P= 0.532). Modified Ranking scale score differed significantly at release, whereas at follow-up no difference was seen. After uni- and multivariate analysis, age was not correlated with higher recurrence, postoperative bleeding, or mortality rates. Preoperative midline shift was found to be an independent risk factor for recurrence. In patients older than 80 years undergoing burr-hole drainage for chronic subdural hematoma, age was not directly correlated with higher recurrence, postoperative bleeding, or mortality rates.

Risk of recurrence of subdural hematoma after EMMA vs surgical drainage - Systematic review and meta-analysis.

ObjectiveChronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common and debilitating neurological condition whose treatments, including burr hole drainage and craniotomy, suffer from high rates of recurrence and complication. Embolization of the middle meningeal artery (EMMA) is a promising minimally invasive approach to manage CSDH in a broad set of patients.MethodsTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of EMMA, a database search was conducted including the terms “subdural hematoma; embolization; embolized; middle meningeal” was performed and yielded a total of 260 results. Following exclusion based on predefined criteria, a total of four studies were identified and outcomes including recurrence rates and complication rates were extracted for analysis.ResultsFour studies including intervention and control groups were included with a total of n = 888 patients. The relative risk of CSDH recurrence in the EMMA (3.5%) compared to control group (23.5%) was significantly reduced when EMMA was performed (risk ratio = 0.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05–0.67). In addition, rates of complication were not significantly different between patients with conventional therapy and those who received EMMA (OR = 0.77; 95 confidence interval (CI) 0.3–1.99).ConclusionBased on limited data, EMMA reduces the risk of recurrence by 20% compared to surgical treatment for CSDH.

Paediatric arachnoid cysts: Surgical outcomes from a Singapore children’s hospital

Arachnoid cysts (AC) are reported to have a prevalence of up to 2.6% in children. Most AC remain indolent, but others may expand or rupture to cause life-threatening symptoms of raised intracranial pressure. Currently, there are 2 controversial topics with regards to the management of ACs: the indications for surgery and the choice of surgical procedure. We therein report our institution’s neurosurgical experience for symptomatic AC over a 22-year period and corroborate our results with published literature. This is a single institution, retrospective study conducted at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital from 01 January 1998 to 31 December 2019. A total of 38 patients with ACs that required surgery were recruited. The 3 most common anatomical locations were in the middle cranial fossa (40.5%), posterior fossa (24.3%) and interhemispheric (13.5%). Typical clinical presentations included symptoms of raised intracranial pressure (34.2%), obstructive hydrocephalus (28.9%) and AC rupture (21.1%). Surgical approaches included 17 craniotomy-based procedures, 7 endoscopic fenestrations, 11 cystoperitoneal shunts, 2 burrhole drainage operations and 1 excision of spinal AC. Thirteen patients (34.2%) underwent either another operation due to the lack of resolution of their AC-related symptoms or secondary to complications directly related to their initial surgery. Average length of followup from time of first operation was 84.1 months. Overall, our results demonstrate similarities in epidemiology, clinical presentation and surgical experience, in comparison to larger cohort studies. We advocate collaborative efforts to better understanding of the pathophysiology of paediatric ACs, particularly for deciding between the various surgical treatment modalities.

Spectrum of Clinical Presentation and Surgical Outcome in Patients with Chronic Subdural Haemorrhage: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: Chronic subdural haematomas are one among common neurosurgical emergencies especially affecting elderly male. Usually, presents with subacute Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA), impaired higher mental function and sometimes with reversible dementia. Rarely, it presents with end stage herniation. Burr Hole Drainage (BHD) is the most popular and worldwide procedure of choice and it successfully address the problem in majority of cases. However, in a small group of patients it needs a wider craniotomy to deal with the subdural membrane which is mainly associated with recurrence of the entity. Aim: To evaluate the comparative incidence of various clinical presentation and analysing the outcome of different treatment modalities in different subgroups of patients with chronic subdural haemorrhage with respect to complication and survivality. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled data of 100 consecutive patients of subacute (n=30) and chronic subdural haematoma (n=70) who were admitted and undergone neurosurgical management of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, Odisha between September 2018 to September 2020. Variables were collected from patient’s records at discharge and analysed with respect to spectrum of clinical presentation and surgical outcome of different treatment modalities and problems associated with it. Results: The mean age group was 57.39 years and headache was the most common clinical presentation in the present study (86%) followed by hemiparasis (74%). BHD was carried out in 94 patients (94%). Primary craniotomy and membrane excision was carried out in 5 patients. Secondary craniotomy was performed in 1 patient after early re-accumulation and clinical deterioration. The outcome was assessed utilising Glasgow outcome scale with total five deaths in the series. Conclusion: Chronic Subdural Haemorrhage (CSDH) a problem of late adulthood (5th to 6th decade) which mostly follows two to three weeks after trauma. It needs proper preoperative assessment and requires timely intervention with skilled nursing care for early recovery. Post-traumatic subacute subdural haematoma in young subject and alcoholics needs special attention during course of their treatment. Bilateral puppilary failure, low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and seizure association are risk factors for poor outcome.

A Rare Complication of Burr Hole Drainage of Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Chronic subdural hematoma is a common neurosurgical problem, especially in the elderly, which is frequently treated by burr hole drainage. Recurrence is the most frequent complication of chronic subdural hematoma surgery reported in literature. However, cerebrospinal fluid leak resulting subgaleal pseudomeningooele has been reported. We report a 67-year-old man who had burr hole drainage of chronic subdural hematoma and subsequently developed cerebrospinal fluid fistula which was drained by subdural drain inserted intraoperatively. A 67-year-old right-handed man who presented with nine days' history of progressive pan-cranial persistent headache following a fall from the bathroom associated with irrational behavior and weakness of the left side of the body. His Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) was 12/15, with generalized hypertonia, left-sided hemiparesis, and left-sided grade + 3 deep tendon reflexes. Brain computed tomography scan [Figure 1] showed right-sided fronto-temporoparietal chronic subdural hematoma with midline shift and effacement of the ipsilateral lateral ventricle. He had right frontal and right parietal burr holes, such as subdural hematoma and insertion of nonnegative subdural drain through the parietal burr hole. He developed cerebrospinal fluid leak, which drained into the drainage bag and subsequently managed conservatively. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks can occur following burr hole drainage of chronic subdural hematoma. Subdural drain inserted intraoperatively is helpful in preventing the sequelae of cerebrospinal fluid accumulation in the subdural and subgaleal spaces.

Awake Burr Hole Drainage Lessons Learned from 173 Experience of Local Anesthesia

Awake Burr Hole Drainage Lessons Learned from 173 Experience of Local Anesthesia

Surgical Treatment of Chronic Subdural Hematomas in Nonagenarians: Who to Treat?

Although chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) are often treated surgically it remains plausible that invasive treatment in elderly patients may have a negative effect on survival. The aim of this study was to characterize survival following neurosurgical intervention for cSDH in a selected cohort aged >90 years and to identify prognostic factors that may inform clinical decision-making. In total, we identified a cohort of 548 consecutive patients who had undergone burr hole drainage for cSDH in a 5-year period between 2009-2013. Of these patients, 41 were aged >90 years. For each patient, information was gathered from local hospital records, general practice records, and the patients directly. Long-term survival was compared with actuarial data obtained from the National Life Tables. Overall mortality at the time of discharge was 2%. Mortality was 26.8% at 6 months, 36.8% at 1 year, and 47.9% at 2 years. Interestingly, there was no significant difference between the actuarial curve and the survival curve following surgery (hazard ratio, 1.17; confidence interval, 0.67-2.05; P= 0.57). Despite initially departing from the actuarial curve, the survival curve becomes parallel at approximately 1 year. Multivariate analysis showed that preadmission residence and the number of comorbid conditions were significant predictors of survival. We advocate that neurosurgical intervention for cSDH in selected nonagenarians can be a safe and beneficial procedure. Patients living independently at home and with a limited past medical history were most likely to benefit from the surgery.

Drain type after burr-hole drainage of chronic subdural hematoma in geriatric patients: a subanalysis of the cSDH-Drain randomized controlled trial.

Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) occurs more frequently in elderly patients, while older patient age is associated with worse postoperative outcome following burr-hole drainage (BHD) of cSDH. The cSDH-Drain trial showed comparable recurrence rates after BHD and placement of either a subperiosteal drain (SPD) or subdural drain (SDD). Additionally, an SPD showed a significantly lower rate of infections as well as iatrogenic parenchymal injuries through drain misplacement. This post hoc analysis aims to compare recurrence rates and clinical outcomes following BHD of cSDH and the placement of SPDs or SDDs in elderly patients. The study included 104 patients (47.3%) 80 years of age and older from the 220 patients recruited in the preceding cSDH-Drain trial. SPDs and SDDs were compared with regard to recurrence rate, morbidity, mortality, and clinical outcome. A post hoc analysis using logistic regression, comparing the outcome measurements for patients < 80 and ≥ 80 years old in a univariate analysis and stratified for drain type, was further completed. Patients ≥ 80 years of age treated with an SDD showed higher recurrence rates (12.8%) compared with those treated with an SPD (8.2%), without a significant difference (p = 0.46). Significantly higher drain misplacement rates were observed for patients older than 80 years and treated with an SDD compared with an SPD (0% vs 20%, p = 0.01). Comparing patients older than 80 years to younger patients, significantly higher overall mortality (15.4% vs 5.2%, p = 0.012), 30-day mortality (3.8% vs 0%, p = 0.033), and surgical mortality (2.9% vs 1.7%, p = 0.034) rates were observed. Clinical outcome at the 12-month follow-up was significantly worse for patients ≥ 80 years old, and logistic regression showed a significant association of age with outcome, while drain type had no association with outcome. The initial findings of the cSDH-Drain trial and the findings of this subanalysis suggest that SPD may be warranted in elderly patients. As opposed to drain type, patient age (> 80 years) was significantly associated with worse outcome, as well as higher morbidity and mortality rates.

Brainstem Bleed after Chronic Subdural Hematoma Drainage

AbstractChronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most frequent benign neurosurgical pathologies. Burr hole drainage is known to be safe, with low-morbidity and low-mortality rates. However, postoperative complications have been reported. We report the case of a 40-year-old lady who suffered a fatal brain stem hemorrhage after burr hole drainage for unilateral chronic SDH. Rapid decompression or sudden increase in cerebral blood flow were the probable factors for her brainstem bleed. Therefore, a slow rate of evacuation of CSDHs and maintenance of a correct blood pressure perioperatively are recommended to prevent serious complications.

Tricompartmental, Remote Intracerebral Hemorrhages Following Drainage of a Unilateral Chronic Subdural Hematoma: An Appraisal of the Pathogenesis

AbstractIntracerebral hemorrhage is a rare and unanticipated complication after burr hole drainage of a chronic subdural hematoma and usually occurs on the same side as the hematoma. In the absence of bleeding diathesis, iatrogenic injury or hypertension, it is commonly attributed to sudden expansion of the compressed brain, following rapid and uncontrolled removal of the subdural hematoma. Other factors like differential expansion of the various intracranial contents, abrupt changes in hemispheric balance, precipitous increase in focal cerebral blood flow, and unforeseen increase in cerebral venous pressure consequent to faulty positioning may also contribute to the pathogenesis of this complication.

Application of Absolute Alcohol in the Treatment of Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage via Interventional Embolization of Middle Meningeal Artery.

Background: Traumatic brain injury is a common condition in neurosurgery. Traditional methods of treatment include conservative treatment and surgical evacuation using burr-holes or craniotomy; however, studies have reported problems such as high re-expansion rates after conservative treatment of epidural hematoma and high postoperative recurrence rates of subdural hematoma. Solutions to these problems are lacking, and research into new treatment methods is ongoing. Among the potential new treatments, middle meningeal arterial embolization is an option. This study involved patients with acute epidural hematoma and chronic subdural hematoma. The purpose was to evaluate the use and effects of absolute alcohol to embolize the middle meningeal artery to treat intracranial hematoma.Material and Methods: A retrospective description study was 12 cases of intracranial hematoma who treated with absolute alcohol interventional therapy from our hospital between June 2018 and October 2019. Five patients with acute epidural hematoma and seven patients with chronic subdural hematoma were treated using absolute alcohol to embolize the middle meningeal artery. Patients' clinical data, imaging results, surgical results, and prognosis were recorded and analyzed.Results: All patients underwent absolute alcohol embolization of the middle meningeal artery, in combination with burr-hole drainage. All imaging data were confirmed preoperatively. We successfully used absolute alcohol to embolize the middle meningeal artery intraoperatively and confirmed these results by postoperative angiography. All patients achieved symptomatic relief without complications, and no recurrence or re-expansion was seen with follow-up computed tomography. Our study has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR1800018714).Conclusion: The use of absolute alcohol to embolize the middle meningeal artery could be used as an attempt to treat acute epidural hematoma and chronic subdural hematoma.

A rare asymptomatic retroperitoneal endometriotic cyst with mass effect on the inferior vena cava.

The current treatment options for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) include burr hole drainage, twist drill drainage, and craniotomy with or without postoperative catheter drainage. Although generally effective, these treatments have continued to be complicated by recurrence, especially in partially hemolyzed or septated hematomas. Recently, interest in the use of fibrinolytic agents as an adjunct to surgical treatment to address this limitation has been increasing. We conducted a systematic review, focusing on the efficacy and safety profile of fibrinolytic agents and compared the different fibrinolytic agents.The PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for trials relevant to fibrinolytic administration in the treatment of CSDH. The findings are reported in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. The data from 1702 subjects from 6 retrospective observational studies were qualitatively analyzed. In addition, we included 11 case series and reports for discussion.For 1449 patients, the use of urokinase or tissue plasminogen activator improved hematoma drainage and shortened the hospital stay (7.04 days), with an overall hematoma recurrence rate of 1.59%. The incidence of infection, seizure, and intracranial bleeding was 3.18%, 0.80%, and 0.41%, respectively, which compared favorably with previously reported findings for surgical drainage without the use of fibrinolytic agents.The routine use of intrathecal urokinase and tissue plasminogen activator could be a new direction in the management of CSDH. Conclusive clinical evidence is lacking, however, and further prospective controlled studies are warranted to confirm the benefit and safety of this treatment strategy and to identify the optimal agent and dosing regimen.

Factors associated with unfavourable outcome after Burr Hole drainage in Subdural Hematoma (SDH) at Sanglah General Hospital, Bali, Indonesia

Background: Subdural hematoma is a neurosurgical disorder that often occurs in the elderly with simple, relatively fast and minimally invasive surgical therapy, but has a high postoperative mortality rate due to unfavourable outcome. This study aims to evaluate factors associated with unfavourable outcome after burr hole drainage in a subdural hematoma (SDH) at Sanglah General Hospital, Bali, Indonesia.Method: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 60 respondents to determine factors influencing the outcome of patients with subdural hematoma after burr hole drainage. The independent variables in this study included age, comorbid factors, trauma onset, GCS, hematoma thickness, and midline shift. Dependent variables include the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), which is divided into 2 groups, favourable outcome, and unfavourable outcome. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 for Windows.Results: There were 19 respondents (31.7%) had unfavourable outcomes and 41 respondents (68.3%) had favourable outcomes. From the bivariate analysis, significant associated risk factors were found in the onset of trauma (p=0.048), GCS (p=0.000), hematoma thickness (p = 0.000), and midline shift (p=0.000). From the multivariate analysis, it was found that low GCS was the most dominant risk factor for the unfavourable outcome following burr hole drainage (OR=22.30; 95% CI= 2.22-223.80; p=0.008) Conclusion: This study concludes that low GCS was the most dominant risk factor for unfavourable outcome in patients with subdural hematoma after burr hole drainage

Comparison of Outcomes and Recurrence in Chronic Subdural Hematoma Patients Treated by Burr-Hole Drainage with or without Irrigation

Purpose Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease in elderly patients and is usually treated by burr-hole drainage. However, the optimal surgical technique for treating CSDH has not been determined. In this study, we analyzed outcomes and recurrence rates after burr-hole drainage with or without irrigation in patients with CSDH. Methods Eighty-two CSDH patients treated with burr-hole drainage at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital from March 2015 to June 2016 were enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into three groups based on the surgical technique performed as follows: single burr-hole drainage without irrigation (group A, n=47), single burr-hole drainage with irrigation (group B, n=14), or double burr-hole drainage with irrigation (group C, n=21). These three groups were compared with respect to clinical and radiological factors and the recurrence rate, and independent factors predicting recurrence were sought. Results After burr-hole drainage, CSDH recurred in 15 (18.3%) of the 82 patients, and six patients (7.3%) required reoperation. More specifically, recurrence was observed in 12 patients (25.5%) in group A, one (7.1%) in group B, and two (9.5%) in group C. The number of burr-holes did not significantly affect recurrence (odds ratio [OR]=0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60–2.38), but irrigation had a significant effect (OR=0.20; 95% CI: 0.04–0.97). Conclusions This study shows that irrigation during burr-hole surgery in CSDH patients significantly reduced the risk of recurrence, regardless of the number of burrholes used. We therefore recommend the use of active irrigation during burr-hole drainage surgery in CSDH patients. Keywords: Hematoma, subdural, chronic; Recurrence; Trephining

Trephine Craniotomy versus Burr Hole Drainage for Chronic Subdural Hematoma—An Institutional Analysis of 156 Patients

Abstract Introduction Some neurosurgeons believe that doing a trephine craniotomy (TC) decreases the chance of recurrence in chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH). But this is not supported by any evidence. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients who were operated for cSDH from 2014 to 2019 at our institute was done. Factors causing recurrence were studied. Results A total of 156 patients were operated in the given period, among which 88 underwent TC and 68 patients underwent burr hole drainage (BHD) for evacuation of cSDH. All patients underwent two trephines or two burr holes placed according to the maximum thickness of the hematoma. Rate of recurrence in trephine group was 12.5% and in burr-hole group was 11.76% and was not statistically significant. Significant factors for recurrence included nontraumatic cSDH, anticoagulant use, presence of membranes, preoperative computed tomography (CT) showing iso- or mixed-density subdural collection and SDH volume &gt; 60 mL. There was selection bias for the procedure. Patients with subdural membranes were preferentially taken for TC as the percentage of subdural membrane found intraoperatively was significantly greater in trephine group (51.1%) than burr-hole group (17.6%) (p value &lt; 0.001).When all the patients who showed membranes in CT scan were excluded, there was no statistical difference in the base line characteristics of both the groups. After excluding the patients with membranes in preoperative CT scan, there was no significant difference in recurrence rate between the two groups.In TC group with membranes, 8 out of 45 had recurrence, whereas in burr-hole group with membranes, 8 out of 12 had recurrence. This difference was statistically significant. (p value &lt; 0.001). Conclusion Surgical intervention in both modalities improves patient outcome with an overall recurrence rate of 12.17%. In the absence of any identifiable membranes in preoperative CT scan, BHD is the preferred surgical intervention. We prefer TC as first choice for patients with membranes in CT scan.

Hemoglobin Concentration May Affect the Effect of Atorvastin on Chronic Subdural Hematoma After Burr-Hole Drainage at High Altitude.

ObjectiveChronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease. Atorvastatin calcium can increase CSDH absorption. However, whether atorvastatin can increase hematoma absorption and reduce recurrence at high altitudes is not clear.MethodsAfter burr-hole drainage, CSDH patients were divided into an atorvastatin group and a control group. Follow-up computed tomography (CT) was performed on day 1, months 1, 2, and 3 after surgery. Then, the recurrence rate, poor therapeutic effect, time to recurrence, poor surgical result, recurrence with operation, CSDH volume, and Markwalder grading scale score (MGSS) were calculated, and related risk factors were analyzed.ResultsThe non-recurrent and recurrent patients in the control group differed significantly in terms of the hemoglobin concentration (HB) [176.24 ± 16.43 vs. 194.25 ± 12.34 (g/L), p < 0.01], CT value [41.92 ± 10.76 vs. 34.12 ± 8.78 (Hu), p < 0.01], and low-density time [3.88 ± 1.04 vs. 5.50 ± 0.87 (d), p < 0.01]. The non-recurrent and recurrent patients in the atorvastatin group differed significantly in terms of the HB [172.66 ± 16.41 vs. 190.45 ± 10.23 (g/L), p < 0.01], CT value [38.91 ± 7.16 vs. 29.50 ± 8.61 (Hu), p < 0.01], and mixed [2 vs. 4 (n), p < 0.05] and low-density time [4.09 ± 0.75 vs. 5.45 ± 1.12 (d), p < 0.01]. The logistic regression analysis showed that HB [odds ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–1.25 in the control group, odds ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03–1.23 in the atorvastatin group] and low-density time (odds ratio, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.42–8.74 in the control group, odds ratio, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.10–5.80 in the atorvastatin group) were possible risk factors for the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values for the HB, CT value (Hu), and low-density time were 0.812, 0.702, and 0.755 for all subjects; 0.812, 0.719, and 0.790 for the control group; and 0.807, 0.682, and 0.756 for the atorvastatin group, respectively. The postoperative follow-up results showed that there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate, poor therapeutic effect, time to recurrence, poor surgical result, recurrence with operation, CSDH volume, or MGSS between the two groups.ConclusionThe effect of atorvastatin was not significant after the operation. The risk factors for CSDH recurrence were the HB and low-density time. The HB was the most specific and sensitive predictor of CSDH recurrence.

Burr hole drainage without irrigation for chronic subdural hematoma.

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common neurosurgical conditions, with different strategies for treatment. Most recent trials favor the use of drainage to reduce the recurrence rate. However, few reports have discussed the efficacy of burr hole drainage without irrigation for treating CSDH. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of burr hole drainage without irrigation in a series of 385 symptomatic CSDH lesions.Methods: This retrospective study included a series of 385 symptomatic CSDH lesions in 309 patients, who underwent burr hole drainage without irrigation, between September 2009 and August 2017 at the Department of Neurosurgery, Yao Tokushukai General Hospital, Japan. The risk of recurrence was evaluated based on the patients’ age, sex, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, preoperative anticoagulants, hematoma drainage rate, and bilaterality.Results: Of the 385 lesions, 41 cases (16 with inadequate follow-up periods and 25 with contraindications for MRI) were excluded from the analysis. The overall recurrence rate in the index study was 4.9% (17/344 lesions). The effects of the preoperative hematoma volume and nonhyperintensity on T1-weighted imaging on the recurrence rate were significant.Conclusion: Our findings indicated that burr hole drainage without irrigation is a good surgical modality in patients with CSDH, and preoperative MRI findings can evaluate the risk of recurrence.

Cerebrospinal fluid leak presented with the C1-C2 sign caused by spinal canal stenosis: a case report

BackgroundIntracranial hypotension is a disorder characterized by low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure typically caused by loss of CSF. Although some mechanisms account for the CSF leakage have been elucidated, spinal canal stenosis has never been reported as a pathological cause of intracranial hypotension.C1-C2 sign is a characteristic imaging feature, which indicates CSF collection between the spinous processes of C1 and C2, occasionally observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with intracranial hypotension.Case presentationA 58-year-old man was presented to our institute with complaints of posterior cervical pain persisting for 3 months, along with numbness and muscle weakness of extremities. A fat suppression T2-weighted image of MRI illustrated fluid collection in the retrospinal region at C1-C2 level, and an 111In-DTPA cisternoscintigram clearly revealed the presence of CSF leakage into the same region. The MRI also showed stenosis in spinal canal at C3/4 level, and a computed tomography (CT) myelogram suggested a blockage at the same level. We gave a diagnosis as intracranial hypotension due to the CSF leakage, which might be caused by the spinal canal stenosis at C3/4 level. Despite 72 h of conservative therapy, a brain CT showed the development of bilateral subdural hematomas. We, therefore, performed burr-hole drainage of the subdural hematoma, blood-patch therapy at C1/2 level, and laminoplasty at C3–4 at the same time. Improvement of symptoms and imaging features which suggested the CSF leak and subdural hematoma were obtained post-operatively.ConclusionThe present case suggested the mechanism where the CSF leakage was revealed as fluid collection in the retrospinal region at C1-C2 level. Increased intradural pressure due to the spinal canal stenosis resulted in dural tear. CSF leaked into the epidural space and subsequently to the retrospinal region at C1-C2 level, due to the presence of spinal canal stenosis caudally as well as the vulnerability of the tissue structure in the retrospinal region at C1-C2 level. Thus, our theory supports the mechanisms of previously reported CSF dynamics associated to C1-C2 sign, and also, we suggest spinal canal stenosis as a novel etiology of intracranial hypotension.