Acute Deterioration in a Patient with Bilateral Chronic Subdural Hematomas Associated with Intracranial Hypotension Treated with an Epidural Blood Patch

Two Cases of Chronic Subdural Hematoma with Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotention Treated with Hematoma Drainage Followed by Epidural Blood Patch Under Intracranial Pressure Monitoring

Both chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) and spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) cause headaches. However, the etiologies are different: SIH headache is caused by decreased intracranial pressure (ICP), whereas CSDH headache results from increased ICP. Moreover, CSDH is treated by hematoma drainage, while SIH is treated by epidural blood patch (EBP). Treatment for the cases of combined SIH and CSDH is not well-established. Herein, we report two cases wherein ICP was monitored and safely controlled by EBP after hematoma drainage. Case 1: A 55-year-old man with progressive consciousness disturbance was diagnosed with bilateral CSDH. He underwent bilateral hematoma drainage; however, the headache became apparent during standing. We diagnosed SIH by diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement on brain MRI and epidural contrast medium leakage on CT myelography. Due to the re-enlargement of bilateral CSDH, we performed EBP after hematoma drainage and ICP monitor insertion. Finally, the headache and bilateral CSDH were resolved. Case 2: A 54-year-old man with persistent headache was diagnosed with bilateral CSDH. He underwent multiple hematoma drainage sessions. However, headache on standing persisted. We diagnosed SIH by diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement on brain MRI and epidural contrast medium leakage on CT myelography. Due to the re-enlargement of the left CSDH, we performed EBP after left hematoma drainage and ICP monitor insertion. Finally, the headache and bilateral CSDH were resolved. EBP after hematoma drainage and ICP monitoring was useful for SIH with bilateral CSDH. By monitoring ICP before EBP, the ICP was safely controlled and CSDH was resolved.

Management of an intracranial hypotension patient with diplopia as the primary symptom: A case report

BACKGROUND

Intracranial hypotension (IH) is a disorder involving cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypovolemia due to spontaneous or traumatic spinal CSF leakage and is easily being misdiagnosed or missed, especially in these patients without the prototypical manifestation of an orthostatic headache. At present, the management of IH with both cranial nerve VI palsy and bilateral subdural hematomas (SDHs) is still unclear.

CASE SUMMARY

A 67-year-old male Chinese patient complained of diplopia on the left side for one and a half mo. Computed tomography revealed bilateral SDHs and a midline shift. However, neurotrophic drugs were not effective, and 3 d after admission, he developed a non-orthostatic headache and neck stiffness. Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed dural enhancement as an additional feature, and IH was suspected. Magnetic resonance myelography was then adopted and showed CSF leakage at multiple sites in the spine, confirming the diagnosis of having IH. The patient fully recovered following multiple targeted epidural blood patch (EBP) procedures.

CONCLUSION

IH is a rare disease, and to the best of our knowledge, IH with diplopia as its initial and primary symptom has never been reported. In this study, we also elucidated that it could be safe and effective to treat IH patients with associated cranial nerve VI palsy and bilateral SDHs using repeated EBP therapy.