Delayed Cerebrospinal Fluid Cleft Formation Through the Midbrain and Thalamus Following Hemicraniectomy and Cranioplasty for Acute Subdural Hematoma.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cleft formation through brain parenchyma following nonpenetrating traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a rare phenomenon. Here we present a unique case of delayed CSF cleft formation months after initial injury. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 41-yr-old male presented after a fall with a right convexity acute subdural hematoma and ipsilateral frontal contusion. He underwent emergent hemicraniectomy with subsequent autologous cranioplasty 2 mo later. At 10-mo follow-up his neurological status had improved. His magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at that time demonstrated encephalomalacia at the site of his prior contusion and punctate right pontine traumatic shearing injury. The patient re-presented to clinic 13 mo after initial injury with 2 mo of progressively worsening dysarthria, left hand numbness, diplopia, and dysphagia. MRI revealed a new tubular-shaped CSF cleft extending from the fourth ventricle, through the right midbrain and thalamus that was not present on prior MRI. Computed tomography cisternogram confirmed communication with the ventricular system, and there was no clinical evidence for elevated CSF pressure. One month later, the patient's symptoms had not improved, and imaging revealed progression of the CSF cleft. Following placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, progression of the cleft ceased. We postulate that this cleft was a late sequela of traumatic shearing injury. We discuss our efforts to diagnose the etiology of the cleft and the rationale for our management strategy. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this represents the first reported delayed-onset CSF cleft through the midbrain and thalamus after closed TBI.

An Acute Cervical Subdural Hematoma as the Complication of Acupuncture: Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Several injuries in the cervical region as complications of acupuncture have been previously reported in the literature, including cord and medulla oblongata injuries, subdural empyema, and cervical hematoma. Spinal cord subdural hematoma is a rare condition mainly associated with coagulopathy, trauma, and iatrogenic procedures. We herein report an acute cervical subdural hematoma after cervical acupuncture for neck and shoulder pain. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 74-year-old woman presented with progressive quadriparesis and sensory deficit after receiving acupuncture in the neck and shoulder. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed a subdural lesion that was a hyperintense mass in the T1-weighted and hypointense in T2-weighted images at the C4-C6 level, which proved to be an early subacute subdural hematoma. After surgical evacuation of the hematoma, the patient had significant neurologic improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, cervical spinal cord hematomas are disastrous complications of cervical acupuncture. These procedures should be performed under direct observation of trained physicians with appropriate knowledge of cervical anatomy to avoid these complications.

Acute Subdural Hematoma in a Judo Player with Repeated Head Injuries.

BACKGROUND: Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is the most important cause of severe head injuries occurring during judo practice in Japan. Repeated head injuries have been reported as a cause of fatal ASDH, although the mechanism remains unknown. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 16-year-old boy visited an emergency department with vomiting 3 days after a strong blow to the occipital region during judo practice. Although computed tomography was performed at that time, a small interhemispheric ASDH was overlooked. The patient sustained another head injury 19 days after the first, which led to convulsions and disturbance of consciousness. The ASDH was increased in size on computed tomography. We performed a surgical evacuation, which revealed tearing of a bridging vein, after which the patient showed a good recovery. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to be aware of the possibility of a small ASDH in concussed judo players after an initial impact, which may lead to subsequent fatal ASDH after another impact incident.