Contralateral acute subdural hematoma following traumatic acute subdural hematoma evacuation

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2013;53(4):221-4. doi: 10.2176/nmc.53.221.

Abstract

Contralateral acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) occurring after removal of traumatic ASDH is a rare, but nearly devastating postoperative complication. We treated a 26-year-old male who developed a contralateral ASDH shortly after craniectomy for evacuation of a traumatic ASDH. Burr-hole craniotomy was performed before decompressive craniectomy, and the bleeding source was a cortex artery within the frontal lobe contusion. Despite supportive therapy with barbiturate and mild hypothermia he expired 3 days later of brain death. Literature review suggests that the old are more susceptible to contralateral ASDH following evacuation of traumatic ASDH. Contralateral ASDH following evacuation of traumatic ASDH is a rare but potentially lethal complication, so neurosurgeons should try to detect such contralateral hematoma formation and prevent clinical deterioration.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Injuries / diagnosis
  • Brain Injuries / surgery
  • Craniotomy*
  • Decompression, Surgical*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Frontal Lobe / blood supply
  • Frontal Lobe / injuries
  • Hematoma, Subdural / surgery*
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Acute / diagnosis*
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Acute / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis*
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery*
  • Reoperation
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Trephining*