[Clinical course and the results of the treatment of unilateral chronic subdural hematoma]

Abstract

The authors analysed the clinical and surgical results in 131 patients treated for unilateral chronic subdural haematoma. 71% of patients had a history of head trauma, 34% were addicted to alcohol. In 18% of cases the clinical course mimicked cerebral stroke. All patients were treated by burr holes and closed-system drainage lasting for 24-48 hours. There were 4 deaths, 3 from ischaemic stroke, and 1 from subdural empyema. 19 patients revealed postoperative complications--intracranial hypotension, cerebral oedema, and haematoma recurrence being the commonest. Follow-up revealed that 83% of patients were healthy, 10% had stable neurological deficit, and 7% presented epileptic fits.