Natural History of Acute Subdural Hematoma

Abstract

Because published guidelines for surgical decision-making in patients with acute subdural hematomas (ASDHs) are based largely on case series and other weak evidence, management often must be individualized. Nonoperative management is a viable option in many cases. The literature is divided about the effects of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications on rapid growth of ASDHs and on their likelihood of progression to large chronic subdural hematomas. Close clinical and radiologic follow-up is needed, both acutely to detect rapid expansion of an ASDH, and subacutely to detect formation of a large subacute or chronic subdural hematoma.

Keywords: Acute subdural hematoma; Anticoagulation; Computed tomography; Glasgow coma scale; MRI; Nonoperative management; Traumatic brain injury.