Superimposed Propionibacterium Acnes Subdural Empyema in a Patient with Chronic Subdural Hematoma

The authors present a case of subdural empyema in a macrocephalic patient. A 23-year-old male was admitted due to headache and fever. One month ago, he had mild head injury by his coworkers. Physical examination showed a macrocephaly and laboratory findings suggested purulent meningitis. Neuroimaging studies revealed a huge size of epidural space-occupying lesion. Under the impression of epidural abscess, operation was performed. Eventually, the lesion was located at subdural space and was proven to be subdural empyema. Later, histological examination of the specimen obtained by surgery demonstrated finings consistent with the capsule of the chronic subdural hematoma. Two weeks after operation, Propionibacterium acnes was isolated. The intravenous antibiotics were used for total of eight weeks under monitoring of the serum level of the C-reactive protein. Follow-up brain computed tomography (CT) scan showed the presence of significant amount of remaining subdural lesion. However, he has complained of minimal discomfort. It is suggested that the subdural empyema occurred with preexisting chronic subdural hematoma after head injury about one month prior to admission and it took a long time to treat Propionibacterium acnes subdural empyema with systemic antibiotics, at least over eight weeks.     

Serial CT Findings of a Rapidly Calcified Epidural Hematoma in a Young Adult: A Case Report

We report serial computed tomography (CT) findings in a rare case of a rapidly calcified epidural hematoma. A 21‐year‐old female patient was admitted to our hospital after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. An initial cranial CT revealed a right frontal bone fracture. She complained of right frontal headache, but showed no neurological deficit or tendency for bleeding. Therefore, she was treated conservatively without surgical intervention. Follow‐up CT revealed an ossified epidural hematoma (EDH) 17 days after the head injury, and the ossification later thickened. However, a decrease in the width of the EDH was observed during the 9 months of follow‐up during which serial CT images were acquired. The EDH resolved 9 months after the initial trauma, but the calcification layer remained thickened.     

Acute epidural hematoma caused by contrecoup injury]

We report a rare case of the acute epidural hematoma caused by contrecoup injury. A 59-year-old woman came to our hospital on foot because of her head injury. She slipped on a stone and hit her occiput against the concrete floor without loss of consciousness. On admission she was alert and complained of dizziness and nausea without neurological deficits. She had a subcutaneous hematoma in the occiput. There was no Battle's sign nor cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Skull film revealed a linear fracture of the occipital bone. Computed Tomography(CT) of the brain showed the acute epidural hematoma at the left frontal region. She was treated conservatively and discharged 19 days after injury without neurological deficits. The mechanism of this lesion is speculated as follows: the deformation of the skull and the negative pressure produced in the frontal region with the occipital injury stripped the dura mater from the calvarium, which lead to the rupture and hemorrhage of the small interposed vessels resulting in the epidural hematoma.     

Chronic ossified epidural hematoma after ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion: a case report

Chronic calcified/ossified epidural hematoma is an uncommon complication of ventricular shunt surgery. There are only 4 cases related to valve-regulated shunt operations in the literature. It may be seen especially in young patients with chronic hydrocephalus, probably due to craniocerebral disproportion. The precise mechanism of the calcification or ossification of the hematoma is not known, however, the dura mater seems to play a part in this process. A 17-year-old girl with triventricular hydrocephalus was treated with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt system including a medium pressure flow control valve. She was admitted with a complaint of severe headache after three years and a bifrontal calcified/ossified epidural hematoma was seen. The calcifying hematoma was removed and the patient's headache resolved. Although the use of high or medium pressure valves, valves with an antisiphon device, adjustable pressure valves or flow control valves have been recommended to prevent this complication in previous reports, it was seen that our case had been treated with a medium pressure flow control valve.     

Calcified chronic subdural hematoma mimicking calvarial mass: a case report

Head trauma is a frequent cause of mortality and morbidity in the pediatric population. Chronic subdural hematoma is the most common traumatic lesion in head injury. Chronic subdural hematomas are rare in children older than 2 years old; they are more frequent during adolescence. Calcified or ossified chronic subdural hematoma is a rare entity that usually presents as a space-occupying lesion over the cerebral convexity. Chronic calcified subdural hematomas are reported less than chronic subdural hematomas. In this article, we report a successfully treated patient with surgical removal case of calcified chronic subdural hematoma mimicking calvarial mass.     

Occlusion of a perforating artery, by descending tentorial herniation after head injury, supplying deep cerebral structure--report of 4 cases and their CT evaluation

Four cases with descending tentorial herniation (DTH) after head injury which showed thalamic, mesencephalic and basal ganglionic low density areas (LDAs) manifesting a infarction in postoperative CT films are reported, and a possible mechanism are discussed in this paper. Case 1: Bilateral acute subdural hematoma with left DTH showed LDAs in the anterior part of the bilateral thalami, left occipital lobe and midbrain. The estimated occluded arteries included the anterior thalamoperforating artery(AThA), posterior cerebral artery and midbrain perforator. Case 2: Right acute epidural hematoma with DTH showed LDAs in the anterior part of the right thalamus and in the left globus pallidus. The estimated occluded arteries included the AThA and anterior choroidal artery. Case 3: Right acute epidural hematoma with DTH showed LDAs in the anterior part of the left thalamus, and in the left midbrain tegmentum. The estimated occluded artery was the interpeduncular thalamoperforating artery (IThA). Case 4: Right chronic subdural hematoma with DTH showed LDA mainly in the left thalamus except for the superior thalamic region. The estimated occluded arteries included the AThA and/or IThA and thalamogeniculate artery. Cases 1 and 4 were adult males and cases 2 and 3 were infant males, and the prognosis was good in the infant males, and poor in the adult males. Each of the 4 cases showed no loss of consciousness just after the head injury while 3 out of them deteriorated within several hours, and one was a case of chronic subdural hematoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Chronic cervical epidural hematoma diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging

The clinical picture of spinal epidural hematoma is usually characterized by the sudden onset of pain and acute paraplegia within a few hours. The reports of chronic spinal epidural hematoma above the lumbar level is extremely rare. Here we added one case whose hematoma was at cervical level. A 31-year-old previously healthy male suffered from continuous sharp pain in the back of his neck about 10 weeks before admission. He took analgesic drugs and treated with head traction by his home doctor with minimal relief. 4 weeks later from onset progressive weakness and numbness appeared at his right hand and arm. Physical examination on admission revealed mild monoparesis and sensory disturbance in his right upper limb. There was hyporeflexia of both upper extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; Hitachi 0.2 T) visualized a dorsal epidural space occupying lesion extending from C3 to Th1 vertebral body level. This revealed high signal intensity in T2 weighted image and mixed (low and iso) signal intensity in T1 weighted image corresponding to old hematoma. All his medication was stopped and he treated with collar brace, which improved his neurological status. 3 weeks later, he recovered fully and follow-up MRI revealed the total absorption of the hematoma. Left vertebral angiogram showed that a part of posterior cerebral venous blood drained to cervical vertebral plexus. This finding suggested his epidural bleeding was venous in origin. Rupture of internal vertebral venous plexus that has no valves was considered as the source of spinal epidural hematoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

骑跨横窦硬膜外血肿58例临床分析

目的 探讨骑跨横窦硬膜外血肿的临床处理、手术指征及方法. 方法 收集自2001年9月至2007年12月收治住院的58例骑跨横窦硬膜外血肿患者的临床资料,其中门诊第一次常规头颅CT平扫发现血肿者42例,迟发性血肿者10例,开颅手术中出现迟发性血肿者6例.所有患者均采用16排螺旋CT行冠状面、矢状面三维重建,计算血肿总量、幕下和幕上血肿量,其中血肿总量≥30 mL或幕下血肿≥15 mL者有42例,均采取手术治疗,方法为依据血肿范围,跨过横窦一次性骨瓣成形,血肿清除后骨瓣复位,蛇牌颅骨锁同定;对伴有其他部位血肿或严重颅高压者8例行另外部位血肿清除或去骨瓣减压术. 结果 本组54例患者术后恢复正常,3例生活能自理,1例重残,无死亡病例. 结论 对血肿总量<30 mL或幕下血肿<15 mL者可采取保守治疗,血肿总量≥30 mL或幕下血肿≥15 mL者应积极手术治疗.应用跨过横窦一次性骨瓣成形方法安全可行,骨瓣复位后要采取牢固的内固定.     

“S”形切口+跨窦骨瓣开颅术治疗跨上矢状窦硬膜外血肿的疗效

目的 探讨“S”形切口+跨窦骨瓣开颅术治疗跨上矢状窦硬膜外血肿的疗效。方法 回顾性分析2017年12月至 2019年12月收治的19例跨上矢状窦硬膜外血肿的临床资料。术前行颅脑冠状位、矢状位CT及颅骨三维重建,根据影像学所示行“S”形皮瓣+跨窦骨瓣开颅术。结果 术中见顶骨凹陷性骨折7例,颞顶骨骨折15例,其中骨折线跨上矢状窦12例;上矢状窦出血12例,骨折板障出血3,导静脉及硬膜血管出血4例;术后24~72 h多次复查头部CT,显示硬膜外血肿完全清除,无再出血。出院时按GOS评分评估预后:恢复良好14例,中残3例,重残1例,植物生存1例。术后随访3~24个月无血肿复发。结论 采用“S”形切口+跨窦骨瓣开颅术治疗跨上矢状窦硬膜外血肿,能有效地止血并处理上矢状窦损伤,同时避免上矢状窦受压,术后再出血风险低,并发症少,疗效好。     

Chronic Spinal Epidural Hematoma Related to Kummell's Disease

Chronic spinal epidural hematoma related to Kummell''s disease is extremely rare. An 82-year-old woman who had been managed conservatively for seven weeks with the diagnosis of a multi-level osteoporotic compression fracture was transferred to our institute. Lumbar spine magnetic resonance images revealed vertebral body collapse with the formation of a cavitary lesion at L1, and a chronic spinal epidural hematoma extending from L1 to L3. Because of intractable back pain, a percutaneous vertebroplasty was performed. The pain improved dramatically and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging obtained three days after the procedure showed a nearly complete resolution of the hematoma. Here, we present the rare case of a chronic spinal epidural hematoma associated with Kummell''s disease and discuss the possible mechanism.     

Epidural hematoma from a cranial eosinophilic granuloma

The formation of an epidural hematoma from an eosinophilic granuloma of the skull is an exceptional occurrence. A 9-year-old boy presented with severe headache, somnolence and vomiting following a minor head injury. Cranial computerized tomography scan showed a seemingly depressed skull fracture together with an epidural hematoma in evolution. A neoplasm and an epidural hematoma were removed at operation. Histopathological study of the excised mass confirmed the diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma.     

Significance of the factors in wound healing for the origin of chronic subdural hematoma--fibronectin and its related substances]

The role of substances for wound healing in chronic subdural hematoma was investigated. Fibronectin, blood coagulation factor XIII (F X III), alpha 2 -plasmin inhibitor (alpha 2-PI) and alpha 2-PI plasmin complex (PIC) in hematoma fluid were measured, sixty cases of hematoma fluid (15 cases were bilateral chronic subdural hematomas) were used for analysis. The levels of fibronectin in hematoma fluid ranged widely from 40 to 1068 micrograms/ml. The levels of F XIII (except 1 case) in the hematoma fluid were less than 70% (normal plasma level 72-144%). And also the levels of alpha 2-PI in the hematoma fluid were lower than that in normal blood plasma (85-115%). Fibrin, fibronectin, alpha 2-PI and collagen crosslinks to these proteins by the catalytic action of the activated F XIII. These substrate proteins (except fibronectin) and F XIII were extremely low levels for wound healing. Histological analysis of the membrane with dura mater obtained from 13 patients was performed by Abidin-Biotin peroxidase Complex Method. Fibronectin was identified in outer membrane especially in sinusoidal layer. In normal wound healing, fibronectin appears early with the invading fibroblast and disappeares within 5 weeks from injury. But in chronic subdural hematoma it was not disappeares in 8 weeks after the head injury. The fact indicates the neomembrane of the chronic subdural hematoma is not in healing stage. This condition in chronic subdural hematoma is unfavorable for wound healing. Thus, author suspected that in early phase of wound healing after the head injury fibronectin and its related substances may play a role in the formation of chronic subdural hematoma.     

Spinal epidural hematoma as a stroke mimic

PurposeSpinal epidural hematoma is a rare but important disease as it can be a stroke mimic. Our aim was to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with an activated stroke code and spinal epidural hematoma.MethodsPatients with an activated stroke code were examined retrospectively. Patients with spinal epidural hematoma were evaluated with further neurological examinations and neuroimaging.ResultsOf 2866 patients with an activated stroke code, spinal epidural hematoma was detected in 5 (0.2%, 63–79 years, 2 men). In all 5 cases, hematoma was located in the unilateral dorsal region of the spinal canal and spread to 5–9 vertebral segments at the C1–T3 level. None of the patients had a medical history of head or neck injury, coagulopathy, or use of anti-thrombotic agents. All of the patients had occipital, neck, and/or back pain, and their hemiparesis occurred simultaneously or within 1 h after the onset of pain. Hyperalgesia ipsilateral to the hematoma was observed in 1 patient, hypoalgesia contralateral to the hematoma was observed in 1, and quadriparesis and bilateral hypoalgesia were observed in 1. The hematomas spontaneously decreased in size in 4 patients, and cervical laminectomy was performed in the other patient. In the 1860 patients with an activated stroke code and spontaneous eye opening, the sensitivity of pain as a predictor of spinal epidural hematoma was 100%, with a specificity of 88.7%, and positive predictive value of 2.3%.ConclusionPatients with spinal epidural hematoma could present with clinical characteristics mimicking ischemic stroke. Spinal epidural hematoma should be differentiated in patients treated under stroke code activation.     

Epidural hematoma revealed by exophthalmia,two cases reports

Epidural or extradural hematoma is a well known entity, usually a complication of severe traumatic head injury. The clinical presentation is most commonly a decline in consciousness and new neurological deficits. Fewer than 20% of patients demonstrate the classic presentation of a lucid interval between the initial trauma and subsequent neurological deterioration. The association of an epidural hematoma with a subperiostal intraorbital hematoma is rare, where exophthalmia is the only presenting sign. We report on two cases of frontal epidural hematoma revealed by an exophthalmia after a minor head trauma. On reporting our cases we aim to increase the awareness of this association each time a head or facial trauma is associated with exophthalmia.     

How should we manage children after mild head injury?

There are many controversies concerning the management of children after mild head injury. Most of these patients achieve a full recovery without medical or surgical intervention. A small percentage of them deteriorate owing to intracranial complications. The goal of this study was to identify significant factors that might allow the identification of patients at risk of subsequent deterioration. Its secondary goal was to establish a clinical protocol for the management of mild head injuries in children. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 166 children and adolescents with head trauma who had Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) or Children Coma Scale (CCS) scores of 13–15 at the time of admission. The patients were divided into five age categories: babies younger than 1 year, children 1–3, 4–6, and 7–14 years old, and adolescents 15–17 years of age. The largest age group consisted of children 7–14 years old (83 cases). There was a male predominance (2:1). The main causes of injury were traffic accidents (55 cases) and falls (53 patients). Neurosurgical procedures were required in 93 of the 166 patients (56%). The most common intracranial lesion was subdural and epidural hematoma (60 cases). In 26 children (15.6%) diffuse brain swelling was the only lesion. A skull fracture was found in 103 cases and was accompanied by epidural hematoma (HED) in 19 cases (18%) and by subdural hematoma (HSD) in 12 cases (12%). However, the 63 children without a fracture also included 18 (29%) who had HSD and 11 (17%) who had HED. In our population 165 (99%) of the patients obtained a very good or good result. None was left severely disabled or in a vegetative state. One patient with GCS 13 died of an infection. We concluded that skull X-ray examination is not sufficient to rule out intracranial hematoma. We recommend CT scanning and admission to hospital for 24-h observation for all children with minor head injury, because of the risk of delayed hematoma. Received: 8 September 1999     

Eosinophilic Granuloma Presenting as an Epidural Hematoma and Cyst

Langerhans'' cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare immunologic disorder characterized by histiocyte proliferation in multiple organ systems. Eosinophilic granuloma, a benign bone lesion, represents a focal form of LCH. We experienced a case of Langerhans'' cell histiocytosis in a patient who presented with intracranial epidural hematoma and cyst on the midline of the frontal skull. A 10-year-old boy presented with a rapidly growing large scalp mass on the midline frontal area after mild head trauma. The scalp mass was painless and immobile. Plain skull x-ray showed a punched-out bone lesion. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a non-enhancing osteolytic lesion presenting with an epidural hematoma and cyst on the midline of the frontal skull. The lesion of the skull was completely resected and the patient''s recovery was uneventful. The acute presentation of a solitary eosinophilic granuloma of skull with an epidural hematoma has been described in only five cases in the literature and we report the first case of LCH presenting as an intracranial epidural hematoma on frontal area.     

Spontaneous epidural hematoma in a patient undergoing hemodialysis: a case report]

A 54-year-old male with chronic renal failure due to diabetic nephropathy suffered dysphagia and left facial spasm without head trauma during a hemodialysis session. CT scan revealed a right acute epidural hematoma. MRI and cerebral angiography did not reveal any abnormalities in the intracranial vasculature. The occurrence of intracranial spontaneous epidural hematoma in a haemodialysis patient has not been reported. During hemodialysis, the intracranial pressure transiently increases and rapidly recovers. It is assumed that the decreasing intracranial pressure caused epidural hematoma.     

Chronic epidural hematoma of the vertex

Epidural hematomas of the cranial vertex can be rarely found in patients victims of head trauma. The diagnosis of the vertex hematoma may be delayed by the odd location of the bleeding site and the absence of a clear localization symptomatology. The current method of choice for investigation of head trauma patients, the computed tomography (CT) scans, may also give misleading diagnostic clues. Epidural hematomas of the vertex can be also encountered in a chronic form, and re-bleeding is possibly the underlying mechanism for the long term permanence of the hematoma. We report a case of a patient with a chronic epidural hematoma of the cranial vertex with a long interval between the trauma and the symptoms onset. We review the current literature focusing on the diagnostic pitfalls and forms of treatment of the chronic epidural hematoma of the vertex.     

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma during pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma is a rare phenomenon that has no distinct etiology. Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) during pregnancy is extremely rare. We present what we believe to be the fifth reported case of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma associated with pregnancy in the English literature. METHODS: A 31-year-old female presented with acute onset of paraplegia at 32 weeks of pregnancy. The patient had a T2 sensory level and complete paralysis of all lower extremity motor groups. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine showed an acute epidural hematoma posterior to the thoracic spinal cord between the second and fourth thoracic vertebrae. RESULTS: The patient was taken to the operating room were her child was delivered by caesarean section. She then underwent a posterior laminectomy and evacuation of a spinal epidural hematoma. Follow-up selective spinal angiography was negative for any vascular malformation. The patient gradually recovered lower extremity function and was independently ambulating at six month follow-up. Voluntary bowel and bladder function returned within four months but twice daily intermittent catheterization remained necessary for excessive post-void residual urine. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma in pregnancy is a rare phenomenon. It is postulated that elevated venous pressure associated with pregnancy may be a contributing factor. In the reported cases of SSEH in pregnancy most patients presented with acute symptoms, thoracic location and profound neurological deficits but, with prompt surgical treatment, generally had good long term recovery.     

Cerebral infarction in the caudate nucleus associated with acute epidural hematoma and diffuse brain injury in a child after severe head injury

Case report A 6-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital 20 min after receiving a direct impact to his head in an automobile accident. He was semi-comatose on admission and computed tomography showed acute epidural hematoma in the right supratentorial region. Three hours later, his consciousness deteriorated due to the enlargement of the hematoma. Surgical removal of hematoma relieved his consciousness disturbance. Post-operative magnetic resonance imaging revealed spotty high-intensity lesions in the corpus callosum on T2-weighted images, and a solitary high-intensity lesion in the left caudate nucleus extending to the medial globus pallidum on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted images. Magnetic resonance angiography showed no abnormality in the main arteries. These results suggested cerebral infarction in the vascular territory supplied by the recurrent artery of Heubner in association with diffuse brain injury. Post-operative course was uneventful and he was discharged without neurological deficit.Conclusions Post-traumatic cerebral infarction in the caudate nucleus is extremely rare, and its association with diffuse brain injury and epidural hematoma is apparently unique.