Transcranial cerebral herniation after chronic subdural hematoma treatment with no dura closure

Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes of Single Burr Hole Drainage and Minicraniotomy in the Treatment of Inhomogeneous Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

The optimal treatment for inhomogeneous chronic subdural hematoma (CSH) remains unclear. This study thus aimed to compare single burr hole drainage with minicraniotomy in the treatment of inhomogeneous CSH, including complication and recurrence rates.

METHODS

The clinical and radiologic data of 240 patients with inhomogeneous CSH who underwent surgery between January 2005 and January 2021 were retrieved. A total of 111 patients were included in this study. Clinical and radiological outcomes were compared between the groups undergoing different surgery types.

RESULTS

A total of 102 (91.8%) patients showed clinical improvement after surgery; 81 (93.1%) and 21 (87.5%) patients showed improvements in clinical symptoms in the single burr hole and minicraniotomy groups, respectively. A total of 102 (91.9%) patients showed favorable radiological findings after the surgery, including inhomogeneous CSH disappearance in 64 (73.6%) burr hole and 13 (54.2%) minicraniotomy patients, and inhomogeneous CSH improvement in 17 (19.5%) burr hole and 8 (33.3%) minicraniotomy patients. There were no significant differences in the patient characteristics or surgical outcomes between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Single burr hole drainage showed a slightly better improvement in clinical and radiologic findings and lower recurrence and complication rates than minicraniotomy. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups.

Effective Repair of Dural Tear Using Bioabsorbable Sheet With Fibrin Glue

STUDY DESIGN

Basic science.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the techniques of surgical repair of dural tear using bioabsorbable material and fibrin glue.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage caused by dural tear can often be difficult to manage even after repair when the same materials are used in a similar manner.

METHODS

Burst pressure was measured for repaired porcine dura with holes of different diameters using spray of combined fibrinogen and thrombin solution (fibrin spray) alone as a control and the 5-mm hole following different methods using fibrinogen and thrombin solutions plus polyglactin 910 sheet (PGS). For group 1, fibrinogen was applied on the dura followed by PGS and thrombin. For group 2, thrombin was followed by PGS and fibrinogen. For group 3, fibrinogen was followed by PGS and fibrin spray. For group 4, thrombin was followed by PGS and fibrin spray. Microscopic observation was conducted for each specimen.

RESULTS

Repair using fibrin spray alone was successful for the 0.3-mm diameter pinhole (breakdown pressure: 27.8 ± 8.6 mmHg), but was not able to cover the 2.7- and 5-mm holes. For a 5-mm diameter hole, the breakdown pressure was 54.4 ± 38.8 mmHg in group 1, 26.3 ± 19.4 mmHg in group 2, 147.7 ± 65.0 mmHg in group 3, and 35.5 ± 23.4 mmHg in group 4 (P < 0.001). There was little fibrin glue in the burst layer between the dural surface and PGS with thrombin on the dural surface (group 2 and group 4).

CONCLUSION

Suppression of excessive CSF leakage could be successful by performing several cycles of the group 1 method (fibrinogen was applied on the dura followed by PGS and thrombin), followed by the group 3 method (fibrinogen was applied on the dura followed by PGS and fibrin spray), with thrombin solution wash each time.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Organized Chronic Subdural Hematomas Treated by Large Craniotomy with Extended Membranectomy as the Initial Treatment

Objective:

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and incidence of complications of craniotomy and membranectomy in elderly patients for the treatment of organized chronic subdural hematoma (OCSH).

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed a series of 28 consecutive patients suffering from OCSH, diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer tomography (CT) to establish the degree of organization and determine the intrahematomal architecture including inner membrane ossification. The indication to perform a primary enlarged craniotomy as initial treatment for nonliquefied OCSH with multilayer loculations was based on the hematoma MRI appearance – mostly hyperintense in both T1- and T2-weighted images with a hypointense web- or net-like structure within the hematoma cavity or inner membrane calcification CT appearance - hyperdense. These cases have been treated by a large craniotomy with extended membranectomy as the initial treatment. However, the technique of a burr hole with closed system drainage for 24–72 h was chosen for cases of nonseptated and mostly liquefied Chronic Subdural Hematoma (CSDH).

Results:

Between 1998 and 2015, 148 consecutive patients were surgically treated for CSDH at our institution. Of these, 28 patients which have OSDH underwent a large craniotomy with extended membranectomy as the initial treatment. The average age of the patients was 69 (69.4 ± 12.1). Tension pneumocephalus (TP) has occurred in 22.8% of these patients (n = 28). Recurring subdural hemorrhage (RSH) in the operation area has occurred in 11.9% of these patients in the first 24 h. TP with RSH was seen in 4 of 8 TP patients (50%). Large epidural air was seen in one case. Postoperative seizures requiring medical therapy occurred in 25% of our patients. The average stay in the department of neurosurgery was 11 days, ranging from 7 to 28 days. Four patients died within 28 days after surgery; mortality rate was 14.28%.

Conclusion:

Large craniotomy and extended membrane excision for OSDH still carry a high rate of mortality and morbidity in elderly patients. TP, RSH, and postoperative seizures are frequently seen complications in elderly patients.