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Haem derivatives in subdural haematomas

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Summary

The oxyhaemoglobin, methaemoglobin and bilirubin concentrations were determined in subdural haematomas and cerebrospinal fluid from 18 patients.

The total haem derivative concentration ranged from 55 μmol/l to 13.9 mmol/l in the haematomas and from 0.1 μmol/l to 8.2 μmol/l in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Bilirubin was the dominating fraction in haematomas with haem derivative concentrations lower than 1 mmol/l. For haematomas exceeding this value, the bilirubin transforming capacity seemed to have reached a maximum. More of the oxyhaemoglobin was oxidized to methaemoglobin in these cases, a reaction known to release superoxide radicals. The possible pathophysiological significance hereof, e.g. in cerebral vasospasm, is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    N. G. Wahlgren

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    C. Lindquist

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  1. N. G. Wahlgren
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  2. C. Lindquist
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Wahlgren, N.G., Lindquist, C. Haem derivatives in subdural haematomas. Acta neurochir 95, 109–113 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01790770

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