Non-traumatic subdural hygroma

Acta Neurol Belg. 1989 Nov-Dec;89(5):352-7.

Abstract

Subdural hygroma consists of a cerebrospinal fluid-like subdural fluid collection with a low oncotic pressure in comparison with venous blood. Its etiology and pathophysiology, which may be different from other subdural fluid collections, are reviewed. We report the clinical history of a 80-year-old woman with a bilateral frontal subdural hygroma. Serial CT-scanning demonstrated a rapid increase in volume after two years of slow evolution. In our patient dehydration may have been the triggering factor. The course of non-traumatic subdural hygroma is not well known. This report illustrates that subdural hygroma can have a dramatic evolution and that therapeutic decisions in these patients should be based on repeated CT-scans.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Coma / etiology
  • Drainage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Meningitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Subdural Effusion / complications
  • Subdural Effusion / diagnostic imaging*
  • Subdural Effusion / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed