Traumatic Acute Subdural Hematoma Research Articles

Rapid Spontaneous Resolution of Acute Traumatic Subdural Haematoma

We report two cases of head trauma in which we observed a rapid disappearance of an acute subdural haematoma, in one case by means of control cranial CT scan, and in the other at explorative craniotomy. Mechanisms of this occurrence may be led to two main hypotheses: in the first a dilution and dispersion of the acute traumatic subdural haematoma (ATSH) in the CSF and subarachnoid spaces is supposed; in the second the ATSH is compressed by the brain swelling pressure and then redistributed.

Hyperacute measurement of intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, jugular venous oxygen saturation, and laser Doppler flowmetry, before and during removal of traumatic acute subdural hematoma.

Department of Anesthesiology; Duke University Medical Center; Durham, North Carolina Department of Anesthesiology; Wake Forest University School of Medicine; Winston–Salem, North Carolina

Resolución espontánea de un hematoma subdural agudo

Acute postraumatic subdural hematoma is known to have bad prognosis. Traditionally, its treatment consisted in urgent surgical evacuation. Rapid spontaneous resolution of the hematoma has been infrequently observed. We report a case of a patient with an acute traumatic subdural hematoma which disappeared without surgery. CT-scan showed a left-sided subdural hematoma with marked mass effect. A low density layer, which implied involvement of CSF in the subdural space, was observed between the hematoma and the inner wall of the skull. We think that the spontaneous resolution of the hematoma was due to the dilution and washing-out by the CSF through an arachnoid tear. Another suggested mechanism in the literature is blood redistribution in the subdural space. Selected patients with an acute subdural hematoma can be managed with conservative treatment.

Hyperacute measurement of intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, jugular venous oxygen saturation, and laser Doppler flowmetry, before and during removal of traumatic acute subdural hematoma.

The poor prognosis for traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) might be due to underlying primary brain damage, ischemia, or both. Ischemia in ASDH is likely caused by increased intracranial pressure (ICP) leading to decreased cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), but the degree to which these phenomena occur is unknown. The authors report data obtained before and during removal of ASDH in five cases. Five patients who underwent emergency evacuation of ASDH were monitored. In all patients, without delaying treatment, a separate surgical team (including the senior author) placed an ICP monitor and a jugular bulb catheter, and in two patients a laser Doppler probe was placed. The ICP prior to removing the bone flap in the five patients was 85, 85, 50, 59, and greater than 40 mm Hg, resulting in CPPs of 25, 3, 25, 56, and less than 50 mm Hg, respectively. Removing the bone flap as well as opening the dura and removing the blood clot produced a significant decrease in ICP and an increase in CPP. Jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2) increased in four patients and decreased in the other during removal of the hematoma. Laser Doppler flow also increased, to 217% and 211% compared with preevacuation flow. Intracranial pressure is higher than previously suspected and CPP is very low in patients with ASDH. Removal of the bone flap yielded a significant reduction in ICP, which was further decreased by opening the dura and evacuating the hematoma. The SjvO2 as well as laser Doppler flow increased in all patients but one immediately after removal of the hematoma.

Rapid spontaneous resolution and redistribution of acute subdural hematoma in a patient with chronic alcoholism: a case report

We report a case of a 54-year-old man who had documented traumatic acute subdural hematoma. He suffered from a transient episode of confusion and a follow-up CT scan of brain 6 h after the initial scan showed resolution and redistribution of the subdural hematoma. In this case report, we review the literature for the underlying pathophysiology of this uncommon phenomenon.

Successful treatment of traumatic acute posterior fossa subdural hematoma: report of two cases

BACKGROUND Acute traumatic subdural hematoma of the posterior cranial fossa after a closed-head injury, excluding those in newborns, is a very rare clinical event. Generally, the outcome is poor and the overall mortality rate is high. METHODS Acute posttraumatic subdural hematomas of the posterior fossa associated with acute hydrocephalus in two patients were removed by standard suboccipital approach. Preoperatively, one patient was in a coma and the Glasgow Coma Score was 9 in another. CT scans showed obliterated mesencephalic cisterns in both cases. In the former there was a complex posterior fossa lesion, i.e., combined subdural and intracerebellar hematoma. The surgical decompression was completed 3 and 11 hours after injury, respectively. Intraoperative tapping of the lateral ventricle through a burr hole in the occipital area was performed in the latter case. RESULTS Both patients survived; one made a good recovery, (i.e., Glasgow Outcome Scale 4 in a patient who was comatose on admission), the other did not do as well (GOS 3). CONCLUSIONS Our experience justifies the policy of mandatory early operation in cases of traumatic acute subdural hematoma of the posterior fossa associated with poor neurologic condition, even in patients of advanced age. In patients with obliterated mesencephalic cisterns and/or complex posterior fossa lesions the same approach must be followed. These clinical and CT features are not necessarily predictors of a poor outcome.

Rapid spontaneous resolution of acute subdural hematoma and HIV related cerebral atrophy: case report

BACKGROUND The natural history of a traumatic acute subdural hematoma is usually interrupted by its prompt surgical removal. Rapid spontaneous resolution within 48 hours, although infrequently reported, may be, underestimated and demonstrates a benign course of this condition. To our knowledge, this is the first case of rapid spontaneous resolution of an acute subdural hematoma in a patient with HIV encephalopathy and cerebral atrophy. METHODS AND RESULTS This 27-year-old man, an intravenous drug user with AIDS-related complex and HIV encephalopathy, suffered an acute subdural hematoma due to head injury in a car accident. The hematoma spontaneously resolved within 12 hours, resulting in a favorable outcome with nonoperative treatment. CONCLUSIONS AIDS related cerebral atrophy may not only have predisposed the patient to the development of an extracerebral collection, but may have also favorably influenced the spontaneous resolution of the hematoma. The mechanism of the hematoma resolution and the influence of HIV related cerebral atrophy is discussed.

Prognostic factors in traumatic acute subdural haematoma

Prognostic factors in traumatic acute subdural haematoma

Prognostic factors in traumatic acute subdural haematoma

Prognostic factors in traumatic acute subdural haematoma

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Sequelae of Temporal Lobe Herniation Secondary to Traumatic Acute Subdural Hematoma: Kernohan''s Notch and Posterior Cerebral Artery Territory Infarctions Contralateral to the Supratentorial Lesion —Case Report—

A 16-year-old girl presented with left hemiparesis and right oculomotor nerve paresis due to temporal lobe herniation resulting from a traumatic acute subdural hematoma secondary to a head injury. Computed tomography revealed a subdural hematoma in the right frontotemporal regions and midline structures shifted to the left. She became comatose and underwent an emergency operation. The hemiparesis and newly manifested homonymous hemianopsia on the right side persisted after surgery. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed Kernohan's notch in the cerebral peduncle and infarctions in the occipital lobe and posterolateral part of the thalamus on the left side, contralateral to the supratentorial lesion.

脳室腹腔短絡管保有患者に外傷性急性硬膜下血腫を合併した2症例

脳室腹腔短絡管保有患者に外傷性急性硬膜下血腫を合併した2症例

Acute traumatic subdural haematomas: study of 110 cases

We report a series of 110 patients with acute traumatic subdural hematoma (ASDH) admitted at HBDF emergency within 1994 (January 1st to December 1st). All patients were treated according to the same protocol. There was a predominance of males (79%), with ages ranging from 14 to 70, being car accidents (20%) and car-pedestrian accidents (34%) the most frequent causes. The majority of patients (85.7%) was admitted in very serious condition, with a score of 8 points on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) or lesser, which directly influenced the mortality rates. CT scan was the diagnostic procedure of choice, and it showed contusion and brain swelling to be the most frequent associated intracranial lesions. Surgery was carried out in 45.1% of cases and, in most instances, through an ample fronto-temporo-parietal craniotomy, with hematoma drainage and dural reconstitution. In 54.9% of cases, clinical conditions did not allow surgery and in this group, 69.6%.

Preoperative predictors of reduction in arterial blood pressure following dural opening during surgical evacuation of acute subdural hematoma.

To determine preoperative predictors of blood pressure reduction following dural opening during surgical evacuation of hematoma, we retrospectively assessed preoperative variables including clinical profile, hemodynamic parameters, neurological findings, and computed tomography (CT) scan results in 56 patients with traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH). Patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in response to dural opening. Group A (n = 18) had a MAP reduction > 20%, and group B (n = 38) had a MAP change within +/- 20% of baseline values (5 min before opening the dura). Significant relationships were found between MAP reductions > 20% and Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores, abnormalities of the mesencephalic cistern on CT scan, pupillary abnormalities, and degree of midline shift. Low GCS score, absence of the mesencephalic cistern on CT scan, and bilaterally dilated pupils were particularly strong predictors of this amount of blood pressure reduction. The clinical outcomes of patients with MAP reduction > 20% following dural opening during surgery were significantly poorer than those of patients without this amount of blood pressure reduction. Our findings suggest that blood pressure reduction following opening of the dura in patients undergoing surgical evacuation of hematoma for traumatic ASDH may be predicted by careful preoperative assessment of neurological and CT scan findings.

One hundred and twenty-seven cases of acute subdural haematoma operated on. Correlation between CT scan findings and outcome.

Traumatic acute subdural haematoma is one of the most lethal of all head injuries: the mortality rate is reported to be between 50 and 90%. We reviewed the clinical records of 1688 head injured patients admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery at C.T.O. hospital between 1982 and 1992. In 127 cases (7,5%) CTscan on admission showed acute subdural haematoma requiring surgery because the midline shift was greater than 5 mm. The overall mortality rate was 57% and 23% had functional recovery. The following variables were assessed with regard to morbidity and mortality: mechanism of injury, age, neurological presentation, time delay from injury to intervention, CTscan finding on admission. GCS and CTscan findings were found to be the most important prognostic variable. Timing of operative intervention for clot removal with regard to outcome was not statistically significant. But no conclusions regarding the importance of early haematoma evacuation can be drawn from such an oversimplifying statement, because it does not take into account factors like rapidity of haematoma development and related brain decompensation as well as additional direct brain lesions. The results of this study suggest that the extent of primary brain injury underlying the subdural haematoma is the most important factor affecting outcome.

Experimental acute subdural hematoma in infant piglets.

Traumatic acute subdural hematoma is associated with high mortality in the pediatric population, yet the pathophysiology remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to develop a pediatric model of acute subdural hematoma, and to evaluate the resultant histopathological changes in the brain. Ten 3-week-old piglets were studied. A 5-mm craniotomy was made in the right frontal skull. A small silastic tube was inserted through the underlying intact dura into the subdural space. A craniotomy was made posterior to the right coronal suture with underlying dura left intact (closed cranial window model). Injection of 5 ml autologous, nonheparinized blood was accomplished through the silastic tube. Animals were sacrificed after 72 h or 1 week. During the subdural injection, intracranial pressure rose to 62 +/- 8 mm Hg, and returned to baseline within 1 h of surgery. Mean arterial blood pressure increased transiently. Cresyl violet and hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrated extensive areas of white matter necrosis under the hematoma after 72 h survival (n = 7). Zones of necrosis were also noted in cortex, but were less extensive than those seen in white matter. These results differ from adult rodent models in which cortex is primarily affected. This is the first reported pediatric model of traumatic acute subdural hematoma. This model can be used in future studies to investigate pharmacological or other therapies which may improve outcome after this type of injury.

Justification for evacuating acute subdural haematomas in patients above the age of 75 years

The author has reviewed the outcome of 27 patients aged 75 years and over who had an operation for acute traumatic subdural haematoma at Frenchay Hospital Bristol over a 10-year period. There were 15 men and 12 women with a mean age of 79.2 years. The outcome at 6 months was determined using the Glasgow Outcome Score. Of the patients, 15 per cent made a good recovery, 15 per cent a poor recovery and 70 per cent died. The influence of age, sex, mechanism of injury, preoperative Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), pupillary reactivity to light, skull and limb fractures, clinical course, CT scan appearance and timing of operation were analysed in relation to the outcome. The results showed that a preoperative GCS of 4 or less and unilateral pupillary dilatation and non-reactivity to light were not compatible with good survival in the very elderly patient with acute subdural haematoma. Under these circumstances, operation is not justified. The prognosis was worse in patients who were unconscious immediately after injury and with a CT scan showing a subdural haematoma and a haemorrhagic contusion which required urgent early intervention. The prognostic indicators present may prove useful in the selection of patients for active surgical intervention.

Acute subdural haematoma successfully treated by percutaneous subdural tapping in an elderly patient

An elderly patient suffering acute subdural haematoma associated with cerebral contusion was treated by percutaneous subdural tapping while preparing for craniotomy. Most of the subdural haematoma, though of high density on computed tomography scanning, proved to be semiliquid. Drainage of the haematoma yielded resolution of the mass effect, and was followed by a rapid improvement of consciousness. This observation suggests the significance of trial subdural tapping for the treatment of acute traumatic subdural haematoma prior to craniotomy.

Acute subdural hematoma: morbidity, mortality, and operative timing

Traumatic acute subdural hematoma remains one of the most lethal of all head injuries. Since 1981, it has been strongly held that the critical factor in overall outcome from acute subdural hematoma is timing of operative intervention for clot removal; those operated on within 4 hours of injury may have mortality rates as low as 30% with functional survival rates as high as 65%. Data were reviewed for 1150 severely head-injured patients (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores 3 to 7) treated at a Level 1 trauma center between 1982 and 1987; 101 of these patients had acute subdural hematoma. Standard treatment protocol included aggressive prehospital resuscitation measures, rapid operative intervention, and aggressive postoperative control of intracranial pressure (ICP). The overall mortality rate was 66%, and 19% had functional recovery. The following variables statistically correlated (p less than 0.05) with outcome; motorcycle accident as a mechanism of injury, age over 65 years, admission GCS score of 3 or 4, and postoperative ICP greater than 45 mm Hg. The time from injury to operative evacuation of the acute subdural hematoma in regard to outcome morbidity and mortality was not statistically significant even when examined at hourly intervals although there were trends indicating that earlier surgery improved outcome. The findings of this study support the pathophysiological evidence that, in acute subdural hematoma, the extent of primary underlying brain injury is more important than the subdural clot itself in dictating outcome; therefore, the ability to control ICP is more critical to outcome than the absolute timing of subdural blood removal.

Isolated Fourth Ventricle

An adult case of isolated fourth ventricle with an unusual clinical course is reported. A 62-yearold female had undergone lateral ventriculo-peritoneal (V-P) shunting for communicating hydrocephalus which was related to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Approximately three months later, following surgery for acute traumatic subdural hematoma (ATSDH) the symptoms of posterior fossa mass lesion developed. Computed tomography scan revealed disproportionate enlargement of the fourth ventricle, which was treated by fourth V-P shunting. Ultimately, the patient recovered well and returned to normal life. A possible mechanism for the isolated fourth ventricle in this case might be that the aqueduct was occluded by a midline shift due to ATSDH, in addition to the communicating hydrocephalus caused by SAH. The authors stress that the recognition of this entity is, indeed, important and that early diagnosis and adequate surgical intervention are indispensable.

Traumatic Acute Subdural Hematoma: Major Mortality Reduction in Cosmatose Patients Treated Within Four Hours

Traumatic Acute Subdural Hematoma: Major Mortality Reduction in Cosmatose Patients Treated Within Four Hours