Rosai–Dorfman disease mimicking subdural hematoma: a case report

Rosia–Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare benign disease with exceedingly rare neural involvement. In this report, we describe a very rare case of intracranial RDD mimicking a subdural hematoma. The patient presented with headache and a suspected history of head injury. Head computed tomography showed a well-demarcated extra-axial crescentic hyperdense lesion along the right hemisphere convexity, and this lesion was initially mistaken for a subacute subdural hematoma with brain contusion. However, the follow-up examinations during the subsequent month did not show the natural changes characteristic of a subdural hematoma. Thus, a magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed, which showed a crescentic lesion with T1 isointensity, T2 hypointensity, and obvious homogeneous enhancement. Differential diagnoses such as lymphoma and metastases were considered, and surgery was performed. The final histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of RDD. This report describes a rare presentation of RDD. RDD can mimic the appearance of a subdural hematoma and should be considered as a differential diagnosis even in patients with a history of head injury and a “classic” imaging appearance of a subdural hematoma.     

A Tangential Gunshot Wound to the Head: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background: Patients with tangential gunshot wounds (TGSWs) commonly present with a good Glasgow Coma Scale score and without a history of loss of consciousness. Typically, the bullet does not breach the skull, however, there is a considerable force directed into the brain, and these patients are best treated as sustaining a moderate-to-severe blunt head injury. These patients require observation and repeat imaging. Physicians should be aware of this entity as these patients can deteriorate in a delayed fashion. Objectives: The authors present a case of a TGSW to the head in a neurologically intact patient. The initial post-injury computed tomography (CT) scan showed a very small subdural hematoma (SDH) with no overlying fracture of the skull. A delayed CT scan performed 4 h after arrival to the Emergency Department and 6 h after injury demonstrated an increase in size of the SDH, new traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, and bilateral cerebral contusions. Clinically, the patient showed worsening of her neurological examination. She underwent aggressive non-surgical treatment for increased intracranial pressure with almost complete recovery. Conclusion: Although patients with TGSWs are typically in good condition upon presentation, these injuries are not always trivial, and these patients should have, at minimum, a non-contrast brain CT scan to evaluate underlying damage to the brain and skull. In addition, a delayed CT scan and close observation on a neurosurgical service are indicated.     

Use of a complete neurological examination to screen for significant intracranial abnormalities in minor head injury

Indications for head computed tomography (CT) scans are unclear in patients with nonpenetrating head injury and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 15. We performed a prospective study to determine if significant intracranial injury could be excluded in patients with GCS-15 and a normal complete neurological examination. A prospective trial of clinically sober adult patients with GCS = 15 on emergency department (ED) presentation after closed head injury with loss of consciousness or amnesia was conducted from May 1996 through April 1997. All subjects underwent a standardized neurological examination including mental status evaluation, and assessment of motor, sensory, cerebellar and reflex function before CT scan. During the study period, 58 patients met inclusion criteria. Fifty-five patients (95%) had normal CT scans and 23 (42%) had focal neurological abnormalities. Three patients (5%) had CT scan findings of acute intracranial injury, two of whom had normal neurological examinations. One patient had an acute subdural hematoma requiring emergent surgical decompression; the other had both an epidural hematoma and pneumocephalus that did not require surgery. Significant brain injury and need for CT scanning cannot be excluded in patients with minor head injury despite a GCS = 15 and normal complete neurological examination on presentation.     

Interhemispheric subdural hematoma

A case of interhemispheric subdural hematoma (ISH) following closed head injury is reported. Our patient had seizures and mental status changes. Cranial computed tomography (CT) demonstrated areas of increased density along the right side of the falx cerebri and over the right leaf of the tentorium cerebelli. Conservative treatment was chosen and the patient recovered. Ten other patients with ISH were compared with ours. Head injury is the leading cause of ISH. Most patients display confusion, lethargy, or a "falx syndrome," with a delayed interval of prominent neurological deficits from the time of injury until presentation. Although patients with ISH can be successfully treated by medical management, surgical intervention may be required.     

Isolated Retrodental Epidural Hematoma Without Dens Fracture

BackgroundTraumatic spinal epidural hematomas (TSEDH) are rare, with the reported incidence being < 1% of all spinal injuries. Causes of TSEDHs include vertebral fractures, obstetrical birth trauma, lumbar punctures, postsurgical bleeding, epidural anesthesia, and missile injuries. The retrodental location has not been reported as a location for spontaneous epidural hematoma.Case ReportA 4-year-old boy was admitted to our Emergency Department after falling down and experiencing head trauma. Glasgow Coma Scale score was 15/15 with no neurologic deficit. Brain computed tomography scan showed isolated hyperdense hematoma in the retrodental area without any fractures in the skull or cervical vertebrae. Brain and cervical magnetic resonance imaging showed a retrodental acute hematoma that was isointense in T1-weighted sequences and hypointense in T2-weighted sequences. The hematoma was in the epidural space with possible odontoid process intracapsular origin.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Isolated retrodental epidural hematoma without dens fracture is an extremely rare pathology and finding, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case to be reported in the literature. Emergency physicians should consider this pathology for any patients presenting for head trauma with head hematoma.     

Diffusion-weighted MRI as a screening tool of stroke in the ED

This report describes a novel imaging technology for the evaluation of stroke patients. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging can visualize hyperacute ischemic stroke which cannot be seen on computed tomography; moreover, it only takes few minutes to scan. We believe that diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, rather than routine computed tomography, should be considered when the emergency physician evaluates a patient with acute ischemic stroke.     

Trauma radiology: Part IV. Imaging of acute craniocerebral trauma

Diagnostic imaging has a key role in diagnosis and management of patients sustaining craniocerebral injuries from trauma. We review the current role of skull radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) in imaging patients sustaining craniocerebral trauma, and we describe the appearance of major forms of pathology as depicted by each modality. CT scan is used to assess quickly the extent of injury and to triage patients to observation, medical, or neurosurgical management. CT findings can be divided into primary craniocerebral injuries, including skull fractures; extraaxial hematomas (subdural and epidural); intraparenchymal injury, such as hematoma, contusion, and diffuse axonal shearing; and intraventricular or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Secondary manifestations of injury, such as cerebral edema and herniation, are also identified, and their course can be followed by serial CT. CT is crucial in assessing the outcome of surgical intervention and in identifying potential delayed complications of either head trauma or surgical intervention, including infection, delayed hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, and tension pneumocephalus. In recent years, MRI has been shown to be valuable in diagnosing cerebral injury. MRI has generally been shown to have greater overall accuracy than CT in identifying and characterizing most forms of traumatic cerebral pathology, but it is less accurate at demonstrating subarachnoid hemorrhage acutely, pneumocephalus, and calvarial fractures, particularly those involving the skull base. Moreover, MRI is still more difficult to perform than CT in critically ill patients, and it is generally far more time-consuming. However, MRI is unequivocally more accurate than CT at revealing certain lesions, particularly brainstem contusion, diffuse axonal shearing, predominantly nonhemorrhagic contusions, and thin collections of blood adjacent to bone, and it should be used selectively when these injuries are suspected.     

Effects of magnetic resonance imaging diffusion gradient recalled echo on a patient with an intracranial hemorrhage presenting to the emergency department.

Generally, a computed tomography scan is conducted for the diagnosis of stroke in the emergency department, because these scans are easier and faster in the detection of stroke. If there are no signs of hemorrhage on computed tomography scan, an ischemic stroke is diagnosed and treated accordingly. A magnetic resonance imaging scan may be taken in order to verify ischemic stroke. This process may lead to improper treatment and is time consuming. To address this situation, case studies are presented in which magnetic resonance imaging diffusion-weighted imaging and gradient recalled echo were performed to detect hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke and particularly, subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is undetectable with a computed tomography scan.     

Asymptomatic massive subdural hematoma in a patient with bitemporal agenesis and bilateral temporal arachnoid cysts

The case of a 38-year-old man with a history of chronic migraine is reported. Despite a 3 week history of changes in his migraine pattern, a normal neurologic examination led to conservative treatment. He later presented with worsening headaches and imbalance; tendon reflexes were increased on the right side, and brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a massive subacute subdural hematoma over the left hemisphere, developing on the grounds of bilateral temporal agenesis. The presence of bilateral temporal arachnoid cysts along with bitemporal agenesis altered clinical findings, causing only mild symptoms where an otherwise acute and devastating neurologic deterioration would be expected.     

Thoracic and lumbar spine trauma.

Complete thoracolumbar trauma evaluation incorporates radiographs, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Primarily to localize the level of injury, diagnosis of thoracolumbar spine trauma begins with radiographs. Computed tomography with sagittal reformatted images is more sensitive for identifying the full extent of injury and the degree of involvement of the bony posterior elements. Magnetic resonance imaging is used for evaluating the extent of soft tissue injury, including damage to ligaments, discs, and epidural spaces. Magnetic resonance imaging is most frequently performed when radiographs and computed tomography do not explain the patients' symptoms and when there is a possibility of epidural hematoma, traumatic disc herniation, or spinal cord injury.     

创伤性脑内血肿进展的相关影响因素分析

目的:探讨影响颅脑损伤后脑内血肿进展的相关因素。方法:回顾分析复旦大学附属金山医院2000年3月—2014年3月收治的114例颅脑损伤后出现脑挫伤及脑内血肿的患者的临床及CT影像资料,通过Logistic回归分析影响患者脑内血肿进展的相关危险因素。结果:颅脑损伤后脑内血肿进展的主要影响因素为:原发的脑内血肿量、蛛网膜下腔出血、硬膜下血肿。患者的瞳孔变化、格拉斯哥昏迷评分(Glasgow coma scale,GCS)、头颅CT中线偏移程度、环池是否消失与是否手术密切相关。结论:若颅脑损伤患者的头颅CT影像显示合并蛛网膜下腔出血、硬膜下血肿或者原发的脑内血肿量大,则需严密监测头颅CT。一旦出现瞳孔变化、GCS评分降低、中线偏移或者环池消失,应考虑手术治疗。     

颅脑损伤的无创性评估

头颅CT,MRI和TCD超声(TCD)是无创性评估颅脑损伤的3种常用手段.现综合了相关文献,叙述其在颅脑损伤中的表现及其各自特点.     

Bench to Bedside: Evidence for Brain Injury after Concussion—Looking beyond the Computed Tomography Scan

The emergency management of cerebral concussion typically centers on the decision to perform a head computed tomography (CT) scan, which only rarely detects hemorrhagic lesions requiring neurosurgery. The absence of hemorrhage on CT scan often is equated with a lack of brain injury. However, observational studies revealing poor long-term cognitive outcome after concussion suggest that brain injury may be present despite a normal CT scan. To explore this idea further, the authors reviewed the evidence for objective neurologic injury in humans after concussion, with particular emphasis on those with a normal brain CT. This evidence comes from studies involving brain tissue pathology, CT scanning, magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanning, serum biomarkers, formal cognitive and balance tests, functional MRI, positron emission tomography, and single-photon emission computed tomography scanning. Each section is accompanied by technical information to help the reader understand what these tests are, not to endorse their use clinically. The authors discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence in each case. These reports make a compelling case for the existence of concussion as a clinically relevant disease with demonstrable neurologic pathology. Areas for future emergency medicine research are suggested.     

Subdural hematoma in the elderly

The presentation of subdural hematoma is often more subtle in the elderly than in younger patients, due in part to cerebral atrophy and in part to the interaction with other medical conditions to which the elderly are prone. With the advent of computed tomography, the diagnosis of subdural hematoma has become easier and noninvasive. This improvement in diagnostic capability has enhanced the understanding of the epidemiology and presentation of subdural hematomas in the elderly. The role of magnetic resonance imaging is also discussed, as is the pathophysiology, management, and prognosis in the elderly patient.     

Subdural hematoma. A retrospective study of the 'great neurologic imitator'

A retrospective survey of 88 patients with subdural hematoma was carried out. Typical patients were men over 60 years of age with a history of head injury. Patients presented with a variety of nonspecific signs and symptoms. Modern, noninvasive investigative techniques with a high degree of reliability, such as computed tomography and radioactive technetium brain scanning, were used. Skull films were rarely helpful. The majority of patients improved or recovered with appropriate therapy, usually burr hole evacuation. Patients under 60 years of age were more likely to recover than older patients. Similarly, patients who presented chronically or subacutely were more likely to recover than those who presented acutely.     

The Galasko report implemented: the role of emergency medicine in the management of head injuries.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives were to demonstrate the extra workload for emergency medicine of inpatient management of mild/moderate head injuries and to determine the effectiveness of current computed tomography guidelines. METHOD: A retrospective study of head injuries presenting to St James's Hospital Dublin, where the Galasko report has been implemented since 2001.We studied injuries presented from January 2001 to January 2002. Length of stay, mechanism of injury, follow-up, indication for admission and computed tomography scan were identified. RESULTS: A total of 2281 patients presented with head injury as their first or second triage complaint. One hundred and twenty-three patients were admitted to the emergency ward, of which 34 had computed tomography investigation. Ten computed tomography scans demonstrated intracranial injury. Intracranial injury was associated with vomiting, Glasgow coma score 14 (confusion), deterioration of Glasgow coma score, clinical basilar skull fracture and alcohol-related falls. The average length of stay for patients admitted to observation ward was 2.3 days and 5 days for those who had a brain injury on computed tomography scan. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the Galasko report has resource, manpower and training implications for emergency medicine. The current computed tomography guidelines should be modified to include Glasgow coma score<15 and neurological symptoms for example, vomiting and alcohol-related falls.     

Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis presenting with headache

Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis is a rare inflammatory disease, usually involving the dura mater of skull base, tentorium, and falx. Chronic headache is the most common clinical manifestations. We report a case of idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis that was, initially, misdiagnosed as acute subdural hematoma along the tentorium cerebelli and posterior falx on the brain precontrast CT scan of a patient with severe headache. Correct diagnosis of pachymeningitis was made only after brain magnetic resonance imaging and meningeal biopsy.     

Low back pain due to spinal chronic subdural hematoma mimicking intradural tumor in the lumbar area: a case report and literature review.

Although magnetic resonance imaging has dramatically enhanced the ability to diagnose spinal mass lesions, some lesions remain difficult to diagnose. We report a spinal chronic subdural hematoma that comprised the cauda equina ventrally in the lumbar area in a 51-year-old man who was under anticoagulant therapy. Low back pain was the only symptom of the patient after sports activity. Surgical treatment was performed 2 months after the onset of symptoms. Intraoperative view showed chronic subdural hematoma with abnormal enlarged dural vascularization. The patient had no preoperative and postoperative neurologic deficit. Low back pain with sudden onset after minor trauma refractory to medical treatment must be investigated with magnetic resonance imaging in patients under anticoagulant therapy for spinal hematoma because of the possibility of spinal chronic subdural hematoma.     

CT和MRI多序列评估脑外伤患者病情

目的分析CT和MRI多序列评估脑外伤患者病况的价值。方法连续收集2018年2月~2020年4月本院收治的脑外伤患者70例的临床资料,所有入院后的患者均进行CT和磁共振T1WI、T2WI、液体衰减翻转翻转恢复序列（FLAIR）、弥散加权成像（DWI）、增强梯度回波T2*加权血管成像（ESWAN）序列扫描检查,记录病灶的位置、数目、形态等,并与手术病理学诊断结果进行对比,分析两种诊断方式对病情的评估价值;于伤后3月进行随访,记录患者有无神经症状,并进行格拉斯哥预后评分,采用Spearman相关进行比较分析。结果60例脑外伤患者中手术诊断硬膜下血肿42例,蛛网膜下腔出血21例,硬膜外血肿17例,脑挫伤23例。MRI在硬膜下血肿、脑挫伤、蛛网膜下腔出血的诊断率高于CT检查（P < 0.05）,两种检查方式在硬膜外血肿检查准确率差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;60例患者微出血病灶MRI多序列检查中ESWAN检查数目最多,其后依次是FLAIR序列、DWI序列、T2WI序列、T1WI序列,CT与T2WI序列检出数目差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。微出血灶主要分布在额叶、颞枕顶叶、胼胝体、基底节、丘脑、脑干等区域,ESWAN序列检出出血病灶的总体积为288 557 mm³,以颞枕顶叶白质体积最大为63 153 mm³;60例脑外伤患者ESWAN序列发现出血性病灶数目、体积与患者入院时格拉斯哥昏迷评分之间经Spearman相关检验均存在明显负相关（r=-0.753, P < 0.01;r=-0.736,P < 0.01）,伤后3月的格拉斯哥预后评分与ESWAN序列发现出血性病灶数目、体积负相关（r=-0.648, P < 0.01;r=-0.612,P < 0.01）。结论与CT检查相比,MRI多序列联合检查在脑外伤患者硬膜下血肿、脑挫伤、蛛网膜下腔出血诊断准确率更高,且ESWAN序列在出血性病灶的数目、体积检出方面更有优势,对患者病情及远期预后有重要参考价值。     

重型颅脑损伤的护理体会

目的探讨重型颅脑损伤患者的护理。方法选取42例重型颅脑损伤患者,重点加强病情观察、呼吸道护理、基础护理、气管切开护理等。结果经过护理42例重型颅脑损伤患者治愈26例,中残7例,重残3例,死亡6例。结论对重症颅脑损伤患者,除做好原发病的护理外,也应做好合并伤及并发症的护理,护理人员在病情的不同阶段应抓住重点做好护理