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Neuroimaging Differential Diagnosis (Imaging Mimicking Conditions) of Cranial Chronic Subdural Hematoma

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Subdural Hematoma

Abstract

Although unusual, many diagnostic pitfalls and pathologic lesions can be misdiagnosed with intracranial chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) on computed tomography (CT) scan. Moreover, the coexistence of CSDH and other adjacent cranial and/or intracranial pathologies is a possible condition. In case of diagnostic doubt or atypical scanographic features, additional post-contrast CT-scan and even better magnetic resonance imaging should be requested whenever possible. The goal is to specify the topography of the hematomas and their internal structures, delineate the exact margins of the collections, and determine their relationship with adjacent anatomic formations. Such information as well as the clinical presentation and biologic data will be crucial for the decision-making process. The alliance between neurosurgeon and radiologist is winning; both must be prepared to identify all these possible situations in preoperative images as well as during medical and/or surgical planning and even throughout the patient’s care. For that reason, a high index of suspicion needs to be kept in mind to avoid mismanagement and possible complications. A summary of the most frequent imaging differential diagnoses of intracranial CSDH is given in this chapter according to the origin and pathogenesis of the lesions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Avicenne Military Hospital of Marrakech, Department of Neurosurgery, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco

    Ali Akhaddar

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  1. Ali Akhaddar
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Medicine, Efeler, Aydın, Turkey

    Mehmet Turgut

  2. Avicenne Military Hospital of Marrakech Department of Neurosurgery, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco

    Ali Akhaddar

  3. Department of Neurosurgery, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA

    Walter A. Hall

  4. Department of Radiology, Yüksek İhtisas University Faculty of Medicine, Balgat, Ankara, Turkey

    Ahmet T. Turgut

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Akhaddar, A. (2021). Neuroimaging Differential Diagnosis (Imaging Mimicking Conditions) of Cranial Chronic Subdural Hematoma. In: Turgut, M., Akhaddar, A., Hall, W.A., Turgut, A.T. (eds) Subdural Hematoma. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79371-5_26

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