Acute subdural haematoma in the elderly: to operate or not to operate? A systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes following surgery

ObjectivesAcute subdural haematoma (ASDH) is a devastating pathology commonly found on CT brain scans of patients with traumatic brain injury. The role of surgical intervention in the elderly has been increasingly questioned due to its associated morbidity and mortality. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to quantify the mortality and functional outcomes associated with surgical management of ASDH in the elderly was performed.Design/settingA multidatabase literature search between January 1990 and May 2020, and meta-analysis of proportions was performed to quantify mortality and unfavourable outcome (Glasgow Outcome scale 1–3; death/ severe disability) rates.ParticipantsStudies reporting patients aged 60 years or older.InterventionsCraniotomy, decompressive craniectomy, conservative management.Outcome measuresMortality and functional outcomes (discharge, long-term follow-up (LTFU)).Results2572 articles were screened, yielding 21 studies for final inclusion and 15 for meta-analysis. Pooled estimates of mortality were 39.83% (95% CI 32.73% to 47.14%; 10 studies, 308/739 patients, I2=73%) at discharge and 49.30% (95% CI 42.01% to 56.61%; 10 studies, 277/555 patients, I2=63%) at LTFU. Mean duration of follow-up was 7.1 months (range 2–12 months). Pooled estimate of percentage of poor outcomes was 81.18% (95% CI 75.61% to 86.21%; 6 studies, 363/451 patients, I2=45%) at discharge, and 79.25% (95% CI 72.42% to 85.37%; 8 studies, 402/511 patients, I2=66%) at LTFU. Mean duration of follow-up was 6.4 months (range 2–12 months). Potential risk factors for poor outcome included age, baseline functional status, preoperative neurological status and imaging parameters.ConclusionsOutcomes following surgical evacuation of ASDH in patients aged 60 years and above are poor. This constitutes the best level of evidence in the current literature that surgical intervention for ASDH in the elderly carries significant risks, which must be weighed against benefits.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020189508.

Isolated traumatic acute subdural haematoma: outcome in relation to age, Glasgow Coma Scale, and haematoma thickness

Background Traumatic acute subdural haematoma occurs in about 10–20% of patients with severe head injuries. This study aims to investigate the relation between outcome and the age, Glasgow Coma Scale on admission as well as haematoma thickness upon admission CAT scan. This is a prospective observational clinical trial study of 39 patients with isolated traumatic acute subdural haematomas treated with conservative or surgical procedures during a one-year study period. Results There was a statistically significant relation between Glasgow Outcome Score and both age of the patients and Glasgow Coma Scale upon admission. However, there was a non-statistically significant relationship between Glasgow Outcome Score and haematoma thickness upon admission CAT scan. Conclusions Age of the patients with traumatic acute subdural haematoma as well as Glasgow Coma Scale upon admission are essential predictors of the outcome. Clinical trial registration details: Name of the registry: Traumatic Acute Subdural Haematoma: Management and Outcome. Trial registration number: NCT03971240. Date of registration: June 3, 2019. URL of trial registry record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT03971240?term=Mohamed+Ahmed+Alghriany&draw=2&rank=1.

Bilateral Subdural Haematoma and CPAP Use: A Possible Association

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common condition usually treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). No reports have linked it to an acute subdural haematoma. A 54-year-old white man who had hypertension well controlled with an angiotensin II receptor blocker, presented with a 2-week history of occipital headache with no other focal neurological symptoms. The headache began 12 days after he had started using CPAP for OSA. A brain MRI performed 2 weeks later showed bilateral subdural haematomas which were chronic on the left and sub-acute/acute on the right. Since the patient was clinically stable with no focal neurological deficits, he received prednisone for 3 weeks and was followed up with consecutive CT scans demonstrating gradual regression of the haematomas. This is the first report showing that subdural haematomas could be linked to CPAP use.

Coexistence of five types of intracranial hemorrhagic lesions after brain injury in a young adult

Posttraumatic intracranial hemorrhage is an entity frequently encountered in neurosurgical daily practice. These haemorrhagic lesions are classified according to their location as: extradural haematoma, acute subdural haematoma, intraparenchymal haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage and contusion. A brain scan is the key examination for the diagnosis. The simultaneous presence of these hemorrhagic lesions in a single traumatic brain injury is rare. We are reporting an unusual case of a 24-year-old who suffered from a brain injury due to road traffic accident, and whose brain CT scan showed five types of post-traumatic intracranial lesions. He benefitted from medical treatment and neurological surveillance. The evolution was favorable with a setback of the signs of intracranial hypertension. The follow-up brain CT scan performed one month after the trauma showed a complete resorption of the lesions.

Comparative effectiveness of surgery in traumatic acute subdural and intracerebral haematoma: study protocol for a prospective observational study within CENTER-TBI and Net-QuRe

IntroductionControversy exists about the optimal treatment for patients with a traumatic acute subdural haematoma (ASDH) and an intracerebral haematoma/contusion (t-ICH). Treatment varies largely between different regions. The effect of this practice variation on patient outcome is unknown. Here, we present the protocol for a prospective multicentre observational study aimed at comparing the effectiveness of different treatment strategies in patients with ASDH and/or t-ICH. Specifically, the aims are to compare (1) an acute surgical approach to an expectant approach and (2) craniotomy to decompressive craniectomy when evacuating the haematoma.Methods and analysisPatients presenting to the emergency room with an ASDH and/or an t-ICH are eligible for inclusion. Standardised prospective data on patient and injury characteristics, treatment and outcome will be collected on 1000 ASDH and 750 t-ICH patients in 60–70 centres within two multicentre prospective observational cohort studies: the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) and Neurotraumatology Quality Registry (Net-QuRe). The interventions of interest are acute surgery, defined as surgery directly after the first CT at presentation versus late or no surgery and craniotomy versus decompressive craniectomy. The primary outcome measure is the Glasgow Outcome Score-Extended at 6 months. Secondary outcome measures include in-hospital mortality, quality of life and neuropsychological tests. In the primary analysis, the effect of treatment preference (eg, proportion of patients in which the intervention under study is preferred) per hospital will be analysed with random effects ordinal regression models, adjusted for casemix and stratified by study. Such a hospital-level approach reduces confounding by the indication. Sensitivity analyses will include propensity score matching, with treatment defined on patient level. This study is designed to determine the best acute management strategy for ASDH and t-ICH by exploiting the existing between-hospital variability in surgical management.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained in all participating countries. Results of surgical management of ASDH and t-ICH/contusion will separately be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberNCT02210221and NL 5761.

Acute subdural haematoma accompanied by anorexia nervosa

We report the case of a patient with anorexia nervosa accompanied by acute subdural haematoma following a fall. A 34-year-old Japanese woman had serious medical complications and brain atrophy. After careful nutritional treatment, her laboratory test results improved and brain atrophy was reversed, and we prevented to perform surgery. However, unexpected prominent oedema of her lower legs and pleural effusion occurred. After receiving treatment for these symptoms, she eventually returned to her former occupation and started following a normal diet. Very few cases of anorexia nervosa accompanied by intracranial haemorrhage have been reported. Coagulation disorder and brain atrophy are supposed to be the primary causes of haematoma formation in the present case. Intracranial haemorrhage likely occurs in patients with anorexia nervosa despite minor head trauma. Because anorexia nervosa is not rare and the age of such patients is advancing, knowledge regarding this disorder would be useful for neurosurgeons.