This case series highlights chronic subdural hematoma in previously healthy young and middle-aged patients, where symptoms persisted despite initial surgical intervention. Subsequent diagnosis revealed spontaneous intracranial hypotension through computed tomography myelography. All patients experienced symptom relief after undergoing epidural blood patch. In conclusion, spontaneous intracranial hypotension should be considered in chronic subdural hematoma cases without trauma or underlying disease, with epidural blood patch recommended before surgical intervention if spontaneous intracranial hypotension is suspected.
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Spontaneous intracranial hypotension complicated by subdural hemorrhage and life-threatening epidural hemorrhage: case report and review of the literature Mingliang Zhu, Kaixuan Huang, Zhonghong Liu, Zhongke Wang Journal of Neurology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Simultaneous Burr Hole Drainage and Epidural Blood Patch with Real-Time ICP Monitoring for Subdural Hematoma Associated with Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: Case Report and Technical Note Yuki Sunohara, Yoshitaka Nagashima, Yusuke Nishimura, Jungsu Choo, Fumihiro Sago, Daiki Somiya, Kenko Maeda, Akira Ikeda, Ryuta Saito Asian Journal of Neurosurgery.2025; 20(04): 848. CrossRef
Middle meningeal artery embolization as an alternative strategy for symptomatic CSF hypovolemia-related chronic subdural hematoma: A case series Kun-Ting Hong, Mun-Chun Yeap, Chun-Ting Chen, Ching-Chang Chen Interventional Neuroradiology.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Although spontaneous resolution of chronic subdural hematoma (C-SDH) in the elderly has rarely been reported, spontaneous resolution of bilateral C-SDH is very rare. Here, we report the case of a 73-year-old female patient with no significant head trauma history who had a bilateral C-SDH spontaneously resolve despite receiving only conservative treatment. However, because of a lack of detailed knowledge about the mechanisms of resolution, treatment is often limited to surgical interventions that are generally successful, but invasive and prone to recurrence. We review the literature and discuss the possible relation of C-SDH's spontaneous resolution with its clinical and radiological characteristics.
A traumatic spinal subdural hematoma is a rare condition, and only nine cases have been reported until now. We report a rare case of concomitant intracranial hemorrhage and spinal subdural hematoma with a review of the literature. A 45-year-old man was referred to our institute after being stroke by a car. He complained of nausea, headache, back pain, and bilateral sciatica. Brain computed tomography and lumbar spine magnetic resonance images revealed both an intracerbral hemorrhage and a subdural hematoma in the L4 to S1 level. After performing a lumbar spinal puncture and draining the hemorrhagic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the intracranial and spinal hematomas were resolved completely without any neruologic deficits.
A postoperative contralateral supra- and infratentorial epidural hematoma after decompressive surgery is an extremely rare event. We describe a 38-year-old male with a contralateral supra- and infratentorial acute epidural hematoma just after decompressive surgery for an acute subdural hematoma. A contralateral skull fracture involving a lambdoidal suture and an intraoperative brain protrusion may be warning signs. The mechanisms, along with relevant literature, are discussed.
PURPOSE The objectives of this study are to classify chronic subdural hematomas based on brain computerized tomographic scan (CT scan) findings and to determine the mechanism of evolution and treatment methods. METHODS One hundred thirty-nine patients who were diagnosed with a chronic subdural hematoma and who available for follow up assessment 6 months post-surgery were analyzed retrospectively. The presence of trauma and past medical history were reviewed and evaluation criteria based on brain CT scan findings were examined. RESULTS Initial brain CT scans revealed a chronic subdural hematoma in 106 patients, a subdural hygroma in 24 patients, and an acute subdural hematoma in 9 patients. In all cases where the initial acute subdural hematoma had progressed to a chronic subdural hematoma, final was a hypo-density chronic subdural hematoma. In case where the initial subdural hygroma had progressed to a chronic subdural hematoma, the most cases of hematoma were hyper-density and mixed-density chronic subdural hematoma. In total, 173 surgeries were performed, and they consisted of 97 one burr-hole drainages, 70 two burr-hole drainages and 6 craniotomies. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that rebleeding and osmotic effects are mechanisms for enlarging of a chronic subdural hematoma. In most cases, one burr-hole drainage is a sufficient for treatment. However, in cases of mixed or acute-on-chronic subdural hematomas, other appropriate treatment strategies are required.
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is the condition of having an abnormally low platelet count with an unknown cause. Acute subdural hematomas (ASDHs) usually develop in trauma patients and often involve a high bleeding tendency. However, ITP patients rarely have a large ASDH, and when a traditional decompressive craniectomy is performed on patients with coagulopathy, the mortality rate is higher because of the greater bleeding risk. We report the case of an ITP patient with a large ASDH who treated with a burr-hole trephination and irrigation and who was discharged without any neurological deficit.
Elderly patients with acute subdural hematomas have higher mortality and lower functional recovery rates compared with those of other head-injured patients. Early and widely surgical decompression and active intensive care represent the best way to assist these patients. However, abrupt decompression of the hematoma can lead to brain disruption and secondary ischemia in the brain surrounding the craniectomy site. Acute brain swelling and brain extrusion, which take place shortly after decompression, can lead to a catastrophic situation during the operation due to the impossibility of appropriate closure of the dura and scalp.
To avoid the deleterious consequences of disruption of brain tissue, we have adopted multiple fenestrations of the dura in a mesh-like fashion and gradual release of subdural clots through the small dural openings that are left open.
This is especially important in cases in which there are massive amount of subdural hematomas with small parenchymal lesion and severe midline shifts in elderly patients. Further clinical experiences should be conducted in a more selected series patients to estimate the impact of this technique on morbidity and mortality rates.