A Case of Chronic Subdural Hematoma with Anxiety States and Concomitant Regression-Like Symptoms

Abstract: The authors described an epileptic suffering from head trauma in whom anxiety states and concomitant regression-like symptoms masked the diagnosis of chronic subdural hematoma. Along with the occurrence of chronic subdural hematoma, psychic symptoms were manifested including the anxiety and regression of personality. However, after the chronic subdural hematoma was neurosurgically evacuated, these psychic symptoms gradually disappeared.
In the study of organic and symptomatic psychosis, Mackenzie and Popkin (1983) have proposed the concept of an organic anxiety syndrome on the ground that DSM-III provides no organic equivalent for anxiety disorders. Therefore, we presented a case of chronic subdural hematoma in which the direct effect on CNS of this pathological condition was considered to bring about the above-mentioned anxiety disorders with regression-like symptoms.     

Korsakoff syndrome following chronic subdural hematoma

We describe a patient who developed Korsakoff syndrome following a spontaneous chronic subdural hematoma. The present case demonstrates persistence of both amnesia and confabulation long after recovery from the acute phase of spontaneous chronic subdural hematoma. There are few reports describing persistent amnesia with confabulation following brain damage. We considered that chronic subdural hematoma in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobes caused amnesia and confabulations, and these conditions persisted as a result of organic atrophic changes of both the frontal and temporal lobes due to long-term compression by chronic subdural hematoma.     

钙化慢性硬膜下血肿的手术治疗

目的 探讨钙化慢性硬膜下血肿的治疗方法.方法 回顾性分析16例包膜钙化慢性硬膜下血肿的临床资料,并复习文献.结果 16例均行开颅清除血肿,并完整切除包膜,术后症状均缓解,1例巨大血肿患者术后有一过性失语,1月后恢复.结论 开颅手术清除血肿及其包膜是治疗钙化慢性硬膜下血肿的有效方法.     

慢性硬膜下血肿钻孔引流术后硬膜下脓肿形成的治疗

目的慢性硬膜下血肿术后并发硬膜下脓肿极为罕见,治疗方式多为再次置管引流,而选择开颅治疗极少,本文将对其开颅治疗进行讨论。方法回顾报道开颅手术治疗的两例慢性硬膜下血肿钻孔引流术后并发硬膜下脓肿的病例。结果两例病人预后均较好,未残留明显的神经系统受损体征。结论硬膜下脓肿术前的影像学评估十分重要,手术方式是选择再次钻孔引流还是开颅手术需依据术前影像学特征来合理选择,静脉应用敏感抗生素一定要足量、全程。     

神经内镜治疗分隔型慢性硬膜下血肿（附16例分析）

目的探讨神经内镜在治疗分隔型慢性硬膜下血肿中的应用价值。方法回顾性分析16例分隔型慢性硬膜下血肿病人的手术治疗方法。采用神经内镜在直视下先冲洗硬膜下血肿腔并对腔壁上的小出血点给予电凝止血,术野清晰后找到血肿腔分隔并将其造瘘,确保充分开放每个分隔,最后待冲洗液完全清亮后将血肿腔与正常硬膜下腔之间的隔膜充分打通,术后不放置引流。结果本组术后头痛症状均明显改善。术后2个月复查CT显示硬膜下腔完全恢复正常,随访3个月～8年,无复发。结论神经内镜治疗分隔型慢性硬膜下血肿是一种直观、便捷、安全、有效的微侵袭技术。     

Chronic subdural hematoma presenting visual disturbance: a case report]

The authors reported a rare case of chronic subdural hematoma presenting bilateral visual impairment caused by papilledema. A 49-year-old man was admitted to our department due to left blurred vision. On admission, ophthalmological examination revealed visual acuity disturbance on the left eye, bilateral nasal visual field defect and papilledema. CT scan and MRI demonstrated bilateral subdural hematoma. No remarkable findings were detected on cerebral angiography. After evacuation of bilateral subdural hematomas, his visual symptoms recovered. In this report, we discuss the mechanism of visual impairment caused by chronic subdural hematoma.     

Symptomatic and syndromal anxiety in chronic forms of major depression: effect of nefazodone,cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy,and their combination

BACKGROUND: Limited information is available on treatment response of anxiety symptoms in chronic forms of major depression. Concurrent anxiety disorders are prevalent in chronic depression, but the responsiveness of patients with such comorbidity to different treatments is largely unknown. This study investigated the comparative efficacy of nefazodone, Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP), and their combination in improving anxiety symptoms in patients with chronic forms of major depression, including those with a concurrent anxiety disorder. METHOD: 681 patients with chronic major depressive disorder (DSM-IV criteria) participated in a multicenter study of 12 weeks of acute treatment with nefazodone (N = 226), CBASP (N = 228), or the combination (N = 227). The Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), the HAM-A psychic anxiety factor, and the anxiety/arousal subscale of the 30-item Inventory for Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (IDS-SR-30) were used to assess anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: In the full sample. without controlling for change in depressive symptoms, combination therapy was superior to both monotherapies on all 3 anxiety measures both in the rate of change and at endpoint. When change in depressive symptoms was controlled for, there were no treatment differences in rate of change from baseline to week 12 on any of the 3 anxiety measures. In those patients with a concurrent anxiety disorder, however, the combination was superior to CBASP on the HAM-A and the IDS-SR-30. Nefazodone alone and combination therapy were both superior to CBASP on the HAM-A psychic anxiety factor. CONCLUSION: For patients with chronic depression, combination therapy is superior to CBASP or nefazodone alone. Among patients with a concurrent anxiety disorder, nefazodone. either alone or in combination with CBASP, improves anxiety symptoms faster than CBASP alone, independent of depressive symptom reduction.     

Generalized chorea associated with bilateral chronic subdural hematoma

A variety of acquired disorders cause chorea, such as hypoxia-ischemia injury, drugs, toxins, infections, autoimmune disorders, and endocrine and electrolyte abnormalities, but rarely subdural hematoma. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman who presented with sudden onset of generalized choreiform movements 1 day prior to admission. Computed tomography revealed a bilateral lateral convexity subdural effusion, which was later confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging as a chronic subdural hematoma. After surgical evacuation of the subdural hematoma, the choreoathetoid movements ceased completely. We propose that transient ischemia in the bilateral subcortical regions was from compression and distortion of the brain by the bilateral hematomas and resulted in generalized chorea.     

双侧慢性硬膜下血肿的手术治疗体会

目的探讨微创穿刺外引流术治疗双侧慢性硬膜下血肿的疗效及手术技巧。方法回顾分析自2011年9月至2013年7月共采用微创穿刺外引流术治疗双侧慢性硬膜下血肿12例,并对出院患者进行随访,总结治疗效果。结果 12例患者出院前7例血肿腔消失,5例存在少量硬膜下积液。结论双侧同时微创穿刺交替冲洗外引流术治疗双侧慢性硬膜下血肿,可以有效减轻术中、术后并发症,安全有效,值得推广。     

Kernohan's notch phenomenon in chronic subdural hematoma: MRI findings.

We report two cases of Kernohan's notch phenomenon secondary to chronic subdural hematoma detected by MRI. In the first case, the patient was drowsy with an oculomotor palsy and a hemiparesis ipsilateral to the chronic subdural hematoma. MRI in the post-operative period showed no abnormal signal or deformity of the crus cerebri. The neurological signs immediately resolved after trephination. In the second case, the patient was admitted with progressive decrease in their level of consciousness and ipsilateral hemiparesis with the chronic subdural hematoma. MRI on admission revealed an abnormal signal in the contralateral crus cerebri against the chronic subdural hematoma. After surgery, the mental state gradually recovered to normal with some degree of residual hemiparesis. In patients with chronic subdural hematoma, a compressive deformity of the crus cerebri, without abnormal signal on MRI, may predict a better neurological recovery in patients with Kernohan's notch phenomenon.     

Infected subdural hematoma

A case is presented in which Escherichia coli seeded a pre-existing chronic subdural hematoma. A 77-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of lethargy, left hemiparesis and fever. Drainage through a burr hole was performed with the diagnosis of bilateral chronic subdural hematoma. Operative findings revealed the infected subdural hematoma on the right side and non-infected subdural hematoma on the left side. Cultures of the subdural hematoma grew Escherichia coli. In view of the pyuria, the etiology of the infected subdural hematoma was postulated to be a urinary tract infection. In the majority of 14 reported cases, the causative organisms were Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and the systemic sources of infection included the urinary tract, gastrointestinal disease, or were unknown. The possibility of infected subdural hematoma should be considered when computed tomography findings suggestive of chronic subdural hematoma exist in a patient with signs of infection.     

蛛网膜囊肿合并慢性硬膜下血肿的治疗及临床分析

目的探讨蛛网膜囊肿合并慢性硬膜下血肿的临床特点及治疗方法。方法采用回顾性病例研究方法,对安徽省立医院神经外科2009年1月至2014年1月所收治的9例确诊为蛛网膜囊肿合并慢性硬膜下血肿患者进行分析,其中男6例,女3例,年龄1.5~60岁,平均23.9岁。临床表现为头痛患者8例;其中6例伴恶心、呕吐,1例伴有肢体无力,1例仅有肢体抽搐;有明确外伤史6例,无明确外伤史3例。结果9例患者中5例行颅骨钻孔硬膜下血肿引流术,5例患者术后均恢复良好,后出院;另2例行开颅硬膜下血肿清除并蛛网膜囊肿切除术,术后痊愈。2例患者行保守治疗,一月后复查头颅CT提示血肿较前缩小,患者无症状,未手术。9例患者分别随访10个月至4年,未再复发硬膜下血肿,生活质量可。结论蛛网膜囊肿合并慢性硬膜下血肿,常见于有头部外伤史的年轻患者。有明显临床症状者需手术治疗,并根据血肿量及是否合并囊内出血等,选择单纯做硬膜下血肿钻孔引流术还是同时开颅清除血肿并处理囊肿。     

阿托伐他汀治疗术后复发慢性硬膜下血肿的疗效观察

目的探讨阿托伐他汀治疗术后复发慢性硬膜下血肿的临床疗效。 方法回顾性分析襄阳市第一人民医院神经外科自2014年1月至2015年9月收治的16例慢性硬膜下血肿颅骨钻孔引流术后复发患者,采用阿托伐他汀方案治疗,观察治疗1周、2周、1个月、3个月时的患者症状、日常生活能力（ADL）评分、血肿吸收程度判断疗效。 结果治疗1周时13（13/16,81.25%）例症状减轻,15（15/16,93.75%）例ADL评分提高（P<0.05）,2周左血肿开始减少（P<0.05）,治疗3个月时15例症状完全改善、ADL评分恢复正常、血肿完全吸收,1例症状明显改善、ADL评分恢复正常、血肿大部分吸收,1例治疗2周时并发急性胆囊炎肝功能异常者病情加重血肿扩大,行颅骨钻孔引流术后继续服药治疗后痊愈。 结论阿托伐他汀治疗手术后复发慢性硬膜下血肿有明显效果,但对于肝功能异常者需慎重。     

Spontaneous chronic spinal subdural hematoma associated with spinal arachnoiditis and syringomyelia

Spontaneous chronic spinal subdural hematoma is rare. We describe a case of spontaneous chronic spinal subdural hematoma associated with arachnoiditis and syringomyelia in a 76-year old woman who presented with a 14-year history of progressive myelopathy. MRI scan revealed a thoraco-lumbar subdural cystic lesion and a thoracic syrinx. The patient underwent thoracic laminectomy and decompression of the lesion, which was a subdural hematoma. A myelotomy was performed to drain the syrinx. Pathological examination revealed features consistent with chronic subdural membrane. This report attempts to elucidate the pathogenesis of chronic spinal subdural hematoma. We discuss possible etiological factors in light of the current literature and pathogenesis of both spinal subdural hematoma and syrinx formation.     

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension manifesting as sudden deafness followed by chronic subdural hematoma]

We report a case of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) manifesting as sudden deafness followed by chronic subdural hematoma in the course of the disease. The patient was a 31-year-old female presenting with an orthostatic headache. Judging from her characteristic symptoms, SIH was strongly suggested. MR images with gadolinium were consistent with the diagnosis of SIH with a diffuse dural enhancement. Her symptoms improved gradually by conservative therapies with bed rest and oral steroid, but she developed poor hearing at 3 weeks after the onset of the symptoms. She was diagnosed as having sudden deafness. After altering the therapeutic modality to intravenous steroid administration, her perceptive deafness resolved earlier, and her symptoms of headache disappeared. However, she was readmitted to our hospital at 4 months after the onset, complaining of the aggravation of headache with a different type, which was worse in the recumbent posture. Follow-up MR images revealed a development of subdural hematoma with mass effect, and the hematoma had to be treated by burr hole drainage. In this case, the site of CSF leakage along the spinal axis was not identified by spinal MR images. This case is considered to be a rare one, complicating sudden deafness followed by chronic subdural hematoma during the clinical course of the SIH.     

微创穿刺外引流术治疗慢性硬膜下血肿

目的 探讨微创穿刺外引流术治疗慢性硬膜下血肿的疗效及注意事项.方法 回顾分析自2008,8～2012,7共采用微创穿刺外引流术治疗慢性硬膜下血肿35例,并对出院患者进行随访,总结治疗效果.结果 35例患者均一次性穿刺成功,未出现严重并发症,所有患者症状均明显改善,出院前27例血肿腔消失,占77％,8例存在少量硬膜下积液,占23％.出院定期复查头颅CT,随访未见复发病例.结论 微创穿刺外引流术治疗慢性硬膜下血肿较单孔钻孔冲洗+闭式引流术操作简单,并发症少,患者恢复快,适用面广.     

Subacute spinal subdural hematoma associated with intracranial subdural hematoma

We describe a subacute spinal subdural hematoma in a patient with psot-traumatic subacute intracranial subdural hematoma. CT and MRI demonstrated hematoma within the interhemispheric subdural space and at the lumbar posterior subdural space which extended from the L1 to the S2 level. The lesion showed high signal intensity on both T1 and T2 weighted images. Surgical decompression of the spinal subdural hematoma was performed. The symptoms completely resolved after surgery. Spinal subdural hematoma may be concomitant with or may occur after intracranial subdural hematoma. If a patient with intracranial subdural hematoma complains of low back pain and weakness in both legs; lumbosacral MR examination should be performed to exclude spinal subdural hematoma.     

What is causing crescendo transient ischemic attacks?

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: We discuss a case report from a patient who had symptoms of transient neurological deficits in the presence of a chronic subdural hematoma and severe carotid stenosis. Multi-modality imaging was used to guide management. RESULTS: The symptoms settled without carotid intervention and were presumed due to the subdural hematoma. CONCLUSIONS: Severe symptomatic carotid stenosis is treated with carotid endarterectomy. In some patients with transient neurological deficits, the diagnosis is not as simple as first thought. Multi-modality imaging (MRI, TCD and CT) can help differentiate the causative lesion.     

Use of the Adinfer diagnostic system in a study of somatic disorders in general practice]

Somatic complaints are very common in general medical practice. They are not identified as psychic disorders and are treated symptomatically. We explore two kind of problems: 1. methodological problems such as the instruments to use to examine somatic complaints (it is evident that a checklist does not give the best results with suggestible patients); and 2. the relationships between somatic complaints and psychic disorders such as anxiety, depression and somatoform disorders. Psychiatric nosology is by no means clear and includes many diagnoses from "hysteria" to "hypochondria" or "psychosomatic", "somatization". In this study, we compare the symptoms collected by general practitioners, and their clinical diagnoses to those obtained by an automatic DSM-III diagnostic program. Adinfer was modified so that three DSM decision trees were systematically scanned: depressive, anxiety and somatoform disorders. This allows for an epidemiological study of somatic complaints and their relationship to depression and anxiety. The subjects' score on rating scales for anxiety and depression are compared with the diagnoses made by the expert system. We discuss the significance of somatic symptoms, the DSM classes and the value of expert systems in epidemiological studies.     

Clinical study of cerebral blood flow in bilateral chronic subdural hematoma measured by 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT]

Cerebral blood flow(CBF) in 34 patients with bilateral chronic subdural hematoma was measured by 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT before operation. The regional CBF was measured in 26 regions of the 10 cortical regions, putamen, thalamus and cerebellar hemisphere on both sides. According to the thickness of subdural hematoma, the thicker hematoma side was measured and examined as the thick hematoma side, and the other side as the thin hematoma side. Thirty four cases with bilateral chronic subdural hematoma were classified into four groups on the basis of clinical symptoms: 13 cases with headache(headache group), 10 cases with hemiparesis(hemiparesis group), 5 cases with tetraparesis(tetraparesis group) and 6 cases with consciousness disturbance or dementia(consciousness disturbance group), and into two groups according to the degree of midline brain shift on MRI: 14 cases of non-shifted group and 20 cases of shifted group. The average CBF of 34 patients in each region indicated a regional CBF reduction in the frontal, parietal and occipital cortices on the thin hematoma side, and in the putamen on the thick hematoma side. In the headache group, the regional CBF reduction on the thin hematoma side was found in the frontal, parietal and occipital cortices compared with the corresponding regions on the thick hematoma side, and in thalamus on the thick hematoma side. In the hemiparesis and tetraparesis groups, there was no statistically significant CBF reduction between the thick and thin hematoma sides. In the consciousness disturbance group, the CBF reduction in whole brain was remarkably significant. By the degree of the midline brain shift, the CBF reductions between the thick and thin hematoma sides were observed. Namely, in the shifted group, the CBF reductions were noted in the frontal, parietal and occipital cortices in the thin hematoma side, and in the putamen in the thick hematoma side. We concluded that the CBF reduction of bilateral chronic subdural hematoma was bilaterally found in the hemiparesis and tetraparesis groups, and which was finally observed in whole brain in the consciousness disturbance group.