OBJECTIVE: Patients with traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) often require surgical treatment. Among patients who primarily underwent craniotomy for the removal of hematoma, some consequently developed aggressive intracranial hypertension and brain edema, and required secondary decompressive craniectomy (DC). To avoid reoperation, we investigated factors which predict the requirement of DC by comparing groups of ASDH patients who did and did not require DC after craniotomy. METHODS: The 129 patients with ASDH who underwent craniotomy from September 2007 to September 2017 were reviewed. Among these patients, 19 patients who needed additional DC (group A) and 105 patients who underwent primary craniotomy only without reoperation (group B) were evaluated. A total of 17 preoperative and intraoperative factors were analyzed and compared statistically. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare these factors. RESULTS: Five factors showed significant differences between the two groups. They were the length of midline shifting to maximal subdural hematoma thickness ratio (magnetization transfer [MT] ratio) greater than 1 (p < 0.001), coexistence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (p < 0.001), traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (TICH) (p=0.001), intraoperative findings showing intracranial hypertension combined with brain edema (p < 0.001), and bleeding tendency (p=0.02). An average value of 2.74±1.52 was obtained for these factors for group A, which was significantly different from that for group B (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: An MT ratio >1, IVH, and TICH on preoperative brain computed tomography images, intraoperative signs of intracranial hypertension, brain edema, and bleeding tendency were identified as factors indicating that DC would be required. The necessity for preemptive DC must be carefully considered in patients with such risk factors.
Brain ; Brain Edema ; Cerebral Hemorrhage, Traumatic ; Craniotomy* ; Decompressive Craniectomy* ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypertension ; Multivariate Analysis ; Reoperation ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: Progression after operation in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often correlated with morbidity and poor outcome. We have investigated to characterize the natural course of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage and to identify the risk factors for postoperative progression in TBI. METHODS: 36 patients requiring reoperation due to hemorrhagic progression following surgery for traumatic intracranial hemorrhage were identified in a retrospective review of 335 patients treated at our hospital between 2001 and 2010. We reviewed the age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale, the amount of hemorrhage, the type of hemorrhage, rebleeding site, coagulation profiles, and so on. Univariate statistics were used to examine the relationship between the risk factors and reoperation. RESULTS: Acute subdural hematoma was the most common initial lesion requiring reoperation. Most patients had a reoperation within 24-48 hours after operation. Peri-lesional edema (p=0.002), and initial volume of hematoma (p=0.013) were the possible factors of hemorrhagic progression requiring reoperation. But preoperative coagulopathy was not risk factor of hemorrhagic progression requiring reoperation. CONCLUSION: Peri-lesional edema and initial volume of hematoma were the statistical significant factors requiring reoperation. Close observation with prompt management is needed to improve the outcome even in patient without coagulopathy.
Brain Injuries ; Edema ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Traumatic* ; Reoperation* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors*

PURPOSE: Rupture of pre-existing cerebral aneurysms has occasionally been reported as a cause of traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (TSAH) and intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH). SAH due to rupture of pre-existing cerebral aneurysm is an important differential diagnosis in TSAH. The aim of our study was to determine whether a rupture in a pre-existing cerebral aneurysm could be predicted based on the pattern of hemorrhage on the initial computed tomography (CT) scan in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: A total of 336 patients who had undergone computed tomography angiography (CTA) for detection of rupture of pre-existing cerebral aneurysm in TBI between the years 2004 and 2013 were retrospectively studied. In order to investigate CT findings of ruptured cerebral aneurysm, patients who had a lesion of SAH, IPH, or IVH were compared with the control group (who had intracranial lesions of contusion, epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, or hemorrhagic contusion). RESULTS: Fifty eight (17.3%) patients with TSAH harbored cerebral aneurysms, and 45 (13.4%) patients had ruptured cerebral aneurysms. The ruptured aneurysms showed significant association with CT findings of a diffuse hemorrhage in the basal cisterns (29.2%, p=0.003, OR=23.130), unilateral sylvian fissure (13.8%, p=0.039, OR=8.842), anterior interhemispheric fissure (20.0%, p=0.028, OR=14.000), and associated IPH (22.6%, p=0.011, OR=16.333). However, the ruptured aneurysms did not show association with CT findings of hemorrhage on convexities, perimesencephalic cisterns, bilateral sylvian fissure, and IVH (p>0.1). CONCLUSION: Patterns of distribution of SAH and associated IPH on initial CT can be predicted of rupture pre-existing cerebral aneurysm in patients with TBI.
Aneurysm, Ruptured ; Angiography ; Brain Injuries* ; Contusions ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic

Benedikt syndrome is characterized by ipsilateral ophthalmoplegia with contralateral hemichorea due to a midbrain lesion. A 67-year-old male with Benedikt syndrome underwent corpectomy at L1 and anterolateral interbody fusion at T12-L2 due to pathologic bursting fracture at L1 involving multiple myeloma. He had a history of traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage and subdural hemorrhage 8 months before surgery. Magnetic resonance image of the brain revealed intracranial hemorrhage from thalamus to midbrain. Target controlled infusion with propofol and remifentanil were administered for anesthetic induction and maintenance and close hemodynamic and neurologic monitoring led to successful anesthetic management.
Aged ; Anesthesia ; Brain ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Male ; Mesencephalon ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Propofol ; Spine* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic ; Thalamus

OBJECTIVE: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common types of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, usually occurring in the older patients, with a good surgical prognosis. Burr hole craniostomy is the most frequently used neurosurgical treatment of CSDH. However, there have been only few studies to assess the role of the number of burr holes in respect to recurrence rates. The aim of this study is to compare the postoperative recurrence rates between one and two burr craniostomy with closed-system drainage for CSDH. METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2006, 180 consecutive patients who were treated with burr hole craniostomy with closed-system drainage for the symptomatic CSDH were enrolled. Pre- and post-operative computed tomography (CT) scans and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used for radiological evaluation. The number of burr hole was decided by neurosurgeon's preference and was usually made on the maximum width of hematoma. The patients were followed with clinical symptoms or signs and CT scans. All the drainage catheters were maintained below the head level and removed after CT scans showing satisfactory evacuation. All patients were followed-up for at least 1 month after discharge. RESULTS: Out of 180 patients, 51 patients were treated with one burr hole, whereas 129 were treated with two burr holes. The overall postoperative recurrence rate was 5.6% (n = 10/180) in our study. One of 51 patients (2.0%) operated on with one burr hole recurred, whereas 9 of 129 patients (7.0%) evacuated by two burr holes recurred. Although the number of burr hole in this study is not statistically associated with postoperative recurrence rate (p > 0.05), CSDH treated with two burr holes showed somewhat higher recurrence rates. CONCLUSION: In agreement with previous studies, burr hole craniostomy with closed drainage achieved a good surgical prognosis as a treatment of CSDH in this study. Results of our study indicate that burr hole craniostomy with one burr hole would be sufficient to evacuate CSDH with lower recurrence rate.
Catheters ; Drainage ; Head ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Traumatic ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Prognosis ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to identify any differential point in computerized tomographic(CT) findings between aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(ASAH) and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage(TSAH), which sometimes make us not confident in differentiation. METHODS: CT of 142 ASAH and 82 TSAH patients over the last 2 years were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated the thickness of SAH, the laterality of sylvian cisternal hemorrhage, the location, the number of involved cisterns, and the associated other lesions between two types of SAH. RESULTS: Suprasellar cisterns and sylvian cisterns were most prominently and frequently involved cisterns in ASAH but cortical sulci and sylvian cisterns were most frequently involved in TSAH. Intraventricular and intracerebral hemorrhage were frequently seen in ASAH. Thickness of SAH over 1 mm, bilateral sylvian SAH, multiple cisternal SAH were in favor of ASAH. The number of involved cisterns were more frequently seen in ASAH than in TSAH. In ASAH, bilateral sylvian hemorrhages were more frequently seen than in TSAH. Skull fracture, subdural hematoma, subgaleal hematoma, and hemorrhagic contusion were frequently associated with TSAH. CONCLUSION: As a result of our study, the authors conclude that when IVH, hydrocephalus, thick SAH>1 mm bilateral sylvian SAH, and multiple cisternal SAH are seen in CT, immediate angiography should be performed to rule out cerebral aneurysms whether associated with other traumatic lesions or not.
Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Contusions ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Retrospective Studies ; Skull Fractures ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic*

PURPOSE: An increase in optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) has been associated with elevated intracranial pressure due to brain lesions, such as hemorrhage, infarction, and tumor. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the difference of both ONSDs can predict surgical treatment in patients with traumatic brain hemorrhage. METHODS: A prospective analysis of the data acquired between September 2016 and November 2016 was performed. We included 155 patients with traumatic brain hemorrhage undergoing computed tomography in the emergency room. We performed an ultrasonography to measure ONSDs for all included patients. The primary outcome of this study was operation indication in patients with traumatic brain hemorrhage. RESULTS: The average age was 63.4±17.0 years (male 60.3±17.3, female 69.8±14.4). There were 61 (39.35%) patients with an indication for operation and 94 (60.65%) patients with an indication for no operation. Indications for operation showed a strong association with the difference of both ONSDs in patients with subdural hemorrhage (p<0.001), no association between them in patients with epidural and intracerebral hemorrhage. In patients with subdural hemorrhage, the area under the curve was 0.988 (0.653-0.998), and the cut-off value for the difference of ONSDs with respect to determining the indications for operation was 0.295 mm f maximizing the sum of the sensitivity (96.9%) and specificity (90.7%) using the receiver operating curve. CONCLUSION: A difference of both ONSDs above 0.295 mm was useful in predicting the indications for operation in patients with traumatic subdural hemorrhage, but not in patients with epidural and intracerebral hemorrhage.
Brain ; Brain Hemorrhage, Traumatic* ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Hypertension ; Optic Nerve* ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

We performed experiments to study the effects of acutely increased inracranial pressure on cereral gas metabolism. The results and findings were reported to The Journal of Catholic Medical College,(Vol. 24) 1973. We thereafter evaluated cerebral gas metabolism of fifty patients with acute cerebral lesions. Cerebral gas metabolism was measured by determining the pO2, pCO2, and pH values of arterial and venous blood and of the cerebrospinal fluid. Samplings of venous blood were obtained from the internal jugular vein. In the determination of the pH, pO2 and pCO2 of arterial and venous blood and cerebro-spinal fluid, the "Radiometer BMS 3 with Digital Acid-Base Analyser PHM 72" was used. These 50 patients had their gas metabolism measured at interval of 2 or 3 days, from the time of their admission to the time of either their recovery or death. The following observations were made 1. The 50 patients studied and observed included. a) Brain contusion 13 cases. b) Epidural or subdural hematoma 11 cases. c) Skull fracture 10 cases. d) Intracerebral hemorrhage 5 cases. e) Scalp laceration 1 cases. f) Arteriovenous malformation or cerebral rete 5 cases. g) Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage 1 cases. h) Intracranial aneurysm 4 cases. 2. There 50 patients have been subdivided according to level of consciousness as follows: a) Group A-Those who were alert with no neurological deficit. b) Group B-Those who were drowsy with mild neurological deficit. c) Group C-Those who were stuporous with severe neurological deficit. d) Group D-Those who were in coma. 3. It was observed that the pH, pO2, and pCO2 content of the arterial and venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid of those in Group A were within normal ranges. 4. Many cases classified under Group B had respiratory alkalosis of the arterial blood. However those who recovered or became worse revealed no noticeable changes in the cerebral gas metabolism studies. 5. Many cases classified under Group C had respiratory alkalosis in their arterial blood but only a few showed metabolic acidosis in the cerebrospinal fluid. However the patients who became worse manifested a marked metabolic acidosis in the cerebrospinal fluid. 6. Several patients in Group D had severe respiratory alkalosis as well as metabolic alkalosis in their arterial blood and marked metabolic acidosis in the their cerebrospinal fluid. 7. "Luxury perfusion syndrome" was not seen in any of the fifty cases studied. 8. Only a few cases manifested arterial hypoxemia in the all group. We believe this was due to the fact that tracheostomy and hyperventilation were done in the early stages with the aim of reducing the raised intracranial pressure.
Acidosis ; Alkalosis ; Alkalosis, Respiratory ; Anoxia ; Arteriovenous Malformations ; Brain Injuries ; Brain* ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Coma ; Consciousness ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hyperventilation ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Intracranial Pressure ; Jugular Veins ; Lacerations ; Metabolism ; Perfusion ; Reference Values ; Scalp ; Skull Fractures ; Stupor ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic ; Tracheostomy

We have analysed 111 cases of subdural hygroma that were development after various neurosurgical conditions including head injuries. The results were summarized as follows. 1) The peak incidence was the age of 50's and occured most frequently in male. 2) Causes were head injuries(91 cases), traumatic intracranial hematoma removal(10 cases), operation for intracranial aneurysms(4 cases), hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage evacuation(2 cases), ventriculoperitoneal shunt(2 cases), brian tumor removal(1 cases), arachnoid cyst excision(1 cases), and cerebral infarction(1 cases). 3) Acute subdural hematoma was most often associated with complex subdural hygrom. 4) Clinical manifestations were headache, altered mental state, disorientation, nausea in order. 5) Operation were underwent in 27 cases and surgical complications were reaccumulation and pneumocephalus in order. 6) Mortality rate was 6.3%. 7) The prognois of the simple hygroma was very good, but the complex was not.
Arachnoid ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Head ; Headache ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Traumatic ; Lymphangioma, Cystic ; Male ; Mortality ; Nausea ; Pneumocephalus ; Subdural Effusion*

Chronic subdural hematomas (CSHs) are generally regarded to be a traumatic lesion. It was regarded as a stroke in 17th century, an inflammatory disease in 19th century. From 20th century, it became a traumatic lesion. CSH frequently occur after a trauma, however, it cannot occur when there is no enough subdural space even after a severe head injury. CSH may occur without trauma, when there is sufficient subdural space. The author tried to investigate trends in the causation of CSH. By a review of literature, the author suggested a different view on the causation of CSH. CSH usually originated from either a subdural hygroma or an acute subdural hematoma. Development of CSH starts from the separation of the dural border cell (DBC) layer, which induces proliferation of DBCs with production of neomembrane. Capillaries will follow along the neomembrane. Hemorrhage would occur into the subdural fluid either by tearing of bridge veins or repeated microhemorrhage from the neomembrane. That is the mechanism of hematoma enlargement. Trauma or bleeding tendency may precipitate development of CSH, however, it cannot lead CSH, if there is no sufficient subdural space. The key determinant for development of CSH is a sufficient subdural space, in other words, brain atrophy. The most common and universal cause of brain atrophy is the aging. Modifying Virchow's description, CSH is sometimes traumatic, but most often caused by degeneration of the brain. Now, it is reasonable that degeneration of brain might play pivotal role in development of CSH in the aged persons.
Aging ; Atrophy ; Brain ; Capillaries ; Classification ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intracranial Pressure ; Stroke ; Subdural Effusion ; Subdural Space ; Tears ; Veins