Intracranial Subdural Hematoma after Spinal Anesthesia: Report of Two Cases with different Outcomes

Spinal anesthesia is a technique commonly used for local anesthesia and in obstetric surgeries. Rarely, the formation of an intracranial subdural hematoma (SDH) may result from spinal anesthesia, constituting a serious condition that often leads to severe neurological deficits. The presentation and course of this pathology may occur in a completely different way, which makes its diagnosis and management difficult. In the present article, the authors report two cases of patients with intracranial SDH after spinal anesthesia with completely different presentations and outcomes, demonstrating the variability of the manifestations of this condition. A quick review of key points of its pathophysiology, symptomatology, diagnosis, and treatment was also performed.

Clival SubduralHematoma after Drainage of Concomitant Intracranial and Spinal Cord Subdural Hematomas ­ Rare Case Report

Concomitant traumatic spinal cord and intracranial subdural hematomas associated with a retroclival hematoma are very uncommon. Their pathophysiology is not totally elucidated, but one hypothesis is the migration of the hematoma from the head to the spine. In the present case report, the authors describe the case of a 51-year-old man presenting with headache, nauseas and back pain after a head trauma who presented with intracranial and spinal cord subdural hematomas. Drainage was performed but, 1 week later, a retroclival subdural hematoma was diagnosed. The present paper discusses the pathophysiology, the clinical presentation, as well as the complications of concomitant traumatic spinal cord and intracranial subdural hematomas associated with a retroclival hematoma, and reviews this condition.

Bilateral extradural haematoma after acute ventricular over-drainage.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular over-drainage is a common complication of dysfunctional ventriculoperitoneal devices. Subdural haematomas are usually the most common lesions associated with that complication. Such lesions may arise after ventricular collapse and bridging veins disruption that follows over-drainage, thus contributing to distortion of brain parenchyma, increased intracranial hypertension and neurological decline. More rarely, extradural haematomas may also be observed after ventricular shunt hyperfunction and may result in rapid neurological decline unless a surgical procedure can be promptly performed. CASE: This study reports the case of a 38-old-woman who presented supratentorial hydrocephalus and developed bilateral extradural haematomas after the placement of a ventricular shunt device. Both haematomas were surgically approached and the dysfunctional shunt device was replaced. CONCLUSION: Extradural haematomas may develop precociously after ventricular over-drainage. Surgical treatment is mandatory and must include not only the evacuation of haematoma, but also the replacement of dysfunctional shunt to prevent further recurrence. The pathophysiology of extradural haematomas consequent of ventricular over-drainage and the possible use of a programmable valve to prevent these lesions are briefly discussed.

[Decompressive craniotomy for the early treatment of traumatic intracranial hypertension]. / Craniotomia descompressiva para tratamento precoce da hipertensão intracraniana traumática.

There is no clear role for decompressive craniotomy (DC) for the intracranial hypertension (ICH) treatment in the literature. Actually, there is a lack of class I or II published data for DC, so it is recomended as a second tier option for the refractory ICH. Recent studies has analized the role of early DC for pos traumatic ICH. The present study analizes 21 patients who has received the early DC for the treatment of traumatic ICH. The majority of the patients had Glasgow Coma Scale < 9 and harboring a brain swelling or acute subdural hematoma at cranial computadorized tomography. Hydrocephalus was frequent after DC (28.5%). Good results were obtained in 11 patients (52.5%). We favour the early application of DC for pos traumatic hypertension.

Craniotomia descompressiva para tratamento precoce da hipertensão intracraniana traumática / Decompressive craniotomy for the early treatment of traumatic intracranial hypertension

O papel da craniotomia descompressiva (CD) no tratamento da hipertensão intracraniana (HIC) refratária ainda não está estabelecido na literatura. Atualmente é recomendada como opção, pois há deficiência de trabalhos classe I ou II que suportem seu emprego. Trabalhos recentes têm avaliado a eficácia da CD quando aplicada precocemente no tratamento da HIC pós traumática. No presente trabalho analisam-se 21 pacientes nos quais a CD foi realizada precocemente. A maioria dos pacientes apresentava traumatismo cranioencefálico grave (Escala de coma glasgow <9) e tomografia de crânio evidenciando tumefação cerebral (brain swelling) ou hematoma subdural agudo. A principal complicação inerente à técnica foi a hidrocefalia (28,5 por cento). Boa reabilitação social ocorreu em 11 pacientes (52,5 por cento). Parece que a CD, quando realizada precocemente, é eficaz no tratamento da HIC refratária, ressaltando-se ainda a necessidade de estudos classe I e II que suportem esta opinião.

Validez diagnóstica de la tomografía computarizada en hematomas intracraneanos / Diagnostic validity of computerized tomography in intracranial hematomas

Los hematomas intracraneales se han constituido en un común factor de morbilidad y mortalidad. Actualmente, con la tomografía computarizada, puede facilitarse su diagnóstico y hacer más eficiente y eficaz la evaluación terapéutica del paciente. Se usó diseño transversal y observacional para determinar la validez diagnóstica de la tomografía computarizada en hematomas intracraneanos. Se estudió una muestra de 48 pacientes operados de dicha patología y que contaran con estudio tomográfico previo. El diagnóstico tomográfico para hematoma intracraneal fue corroborado con el hallazgo quirúrgico en todos los casos, en cambio el diagnóstico clínico fue confirmado sólo en el 58,3 por ciento de ellos. Se encontró una sensibilidad y especificidad para la tomografía computarizada del 100 por ciento en los hematomas epidural y subdural, y del 91,7 por ciento y 97,2 por ciento respectivamente para los hematomas intracerebrales. La tomografía computarizada es un método de diagnóstico eficaz para hematomas intracraneales, incluyendo en el acortamiento del tiempo transcurrido desde el diagnóstico de la patología hasta su manejo quirúrgico y mejorando, de esta manera, la condición alta del paciente.