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Surgery for contralateral acute epidural hematoma following acute subdural hematoma evacuation: five new cases and a short literature review

  • Clinical Article - Brain Injury
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Abstract

Background

The occurrence of a contralateral acute epidural hematoma (AEDH) following removal of an acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is a rare but nearly devastating postoperative complication. Here, we describe a series of five patients with contralateral AEDH and provide a review of the literature to elucidate the characteristics and improve management of these patients.

Methods

A total of 386 patients underwent ASDH evacuations in our hospital between August 2008 and July 2011. Five of these patients (1.3 %) developed AEDH that required surgery. Thirty-two additional patients were identified by a search of the PubMed database. Clinical features, surgical treatment, and outcomes (scored by Glasgow outcome scale, GOS) of the collective 37 AEDH cases were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Contralateral AEDH after ASDH evacuation occurred in 27 males (73 %) and 10 females (27 %) (mean age: 35.9 ± 14.2 years). Twenty-six patients (70 %) had unfavorable outcomes (GOS 1–3), and 11 patients (30 %) had favorable outcomes (GOS 4–5). Contralateral skull fractures and intraoperative acute brain swelling occurred in 30 (81 %) and 28 (76 %) patients, respectively. The preoperative Glasgow coma score (GCS) was significantly associated with outcome (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Lower preoperative GCS score is an independent risk factor for prognosis of contralateral AEDH after ASDH. Postoperative management should include assessment of AEDH in patients treated for contralateral skull fractures and who experienced intraoperative acute brain swelling. We recommend early decompression with a burr-hole craniotomy, immediately followed by a decompressive craniectomy. This strategy provides gradual decompression, while advancing the initial surgical time and preventing the suddle decreased tamponade effect. As such, it may help decrease the risk of contralateral AEDH associated with decompression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou City, 310003, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China

    Jian Shen, Jian Wei Pan, Zuo Xu Fan, Yong Qing Zhou, Zhe Chen & Ren Ya Zhan

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  1. Jian Shen
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  2. Jian Wei Pan
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  3. Zuo Xu Fan
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  4. Yong Qing Zhou
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  5. Zhe Chen
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  6. Ren Ya Zhan
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Correspondence to Ren Ya Zhan.

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Shen, J., Pan, J.W., Fan, Z.X. et al. Surgery for contralateral acute epidural hematoma following acute subdural hematoma evacuation: five new cases and a short literature review. Acta Neurochir 155, 335–341 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-012-1569-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-012-1569-9

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