Arteriovenous malformation presenting as acute subdural haematoma

Spontaneous subdural hematoma in a patient receiving dual antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention: A case report

Introduction

and importance: Dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin is routinely prescribed after coronary artery stenting, plays a critical role in secondary prevention among patients with acute coronary syndrome and has decreased the rates of re-infarction and stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary intervention, but they are prone to internal bleeding. Intracranial hemorrhage is the most serious bleeding complication in a patient put on antiplatelet therapy following PCI. Acute spontaneous subdural hematoma (ASSDH) without trauma is a rare event, which needs to be promptly recognized and managed.

Case presentation

In this mini-review, we report a case of a 71-year-old man who represented spontaneous acute subdural hematoma receiving dual antiplatelet (aspirin and clopidogrel) following percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome. Rapid discontinuation of all of the antiplatelet drugs and hematoma evacuation were performed with good postoperative evolution.

Clinical discussion

Management of hemorrhagic patients under antithrombotic therapy is very difficult. Resuming the treatment could lead to recurrence bleeding, on the other hand, suspension or stopping of treatment could expand the thrombotic risk. ASSDH after PCI is true diagnostic then therapeutic emergency, especially in patients with rapid neurological degradation. Treatment may be managed by nonoperative conservative approach in selected cases.

Conclusion

Spontaneous subdural hematoma is a rare, serious entity, although it can engage the functional and vital prognosis of the patient, hence the interest of diagnosis and prompt treatment to improve the prognosis.

A case of acute subdural hematoma due to ruptured aneurysm detected by postmortem angiography

Acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) is mostly caused by head trauma, but intrinsic causes also exist such as aneurysm rupture. We describe here a case involving a man in his 70s who was found lying on the bedroom floor by his family. CT performed at the hospital showed ASDH and a forensic autopsy was requested. Postmortem cerebral angiography showed dilatation of the bifurcation of the middle cerebral artery, which coincided with the dilated part of the Sylvian fissure. Extravasation of contrast medium into the subdural hematoma from this site was suggestive of a ruptured aneurysm. Autopsy revealed a fleshy hematoma (total weight 110 g) in the right subdural space and findings of brain herniation. As indicated on angiography, a ruptured saccular aneurysm was confirmed at the bifurcation of the middle cerebral artery. Obvious injuries to the head or face could not be detected on either external or internal examination, and intrinsic ASDH due to a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm was determined as the cause of death. One of the key points of forensic diagnosis is the strict differentiation between intrinsic and extrinsic onset for conditions leading to death. Although most subdural hematomas (SDH) are caused by extrinsic factors, forensic pathologists should consider the possibility of intrinsic SDH. In addition, postmortem angiography can be useful for identifying vascular lesions in such cases.

Acute subdural hematoma from bridging vein rupture: a potential mechanism for growth

Most acute subdural hematomas (ASDHs) develop after rupture of a bridging vein or veins. The anatomy of the bridging vein predisposes to its tearing within the border cell layer of the dura mater. Thus, the subdural hematoma actually forms within the dura. The hematoma grows by continued bleeding into the border cell layer. However, the venous pressure would not be expected to cause a large hematoma. Therefore, some type of mechanism must account for the hematoma's expansion.

Cerebral venous pressure (CVP) has been demonstrated in animal models to be slightly higher than intracranial pressure (ICP), and CVP tracks the ICP as pressure variations occur. The elevation of CVP as the ICP increases is thought to result from an increase in outflow resistance of the terminal portion of the bridging veins. This probably results from a Starling resistor model or, less likely, from a muscular sphincter.

A hypothesis is derived to explain the mechanism of ASDH enlargement. Tearing of one or more bridging veins causes these vessels to bleed into the dural border cell layer. Subsequent ICP elevation from the ASDH, cerebral swelling, or other cause results in elevation of the CVP by increased outflow resistance in the intact bridging veins. The increased ICP causes further bleeding into the hematoma cavity via the torn bridging veins. Thus, the ASDH enlarges via a positive feedback mechanism.

Enlargement of an ASDH would cease as blood within the hematoma cavity coagulates. This would stop the dissection of the dural border cell layer, and pressure within the hematoma cavity would equalize with that in the torn bridging vein or veins.

Bilateral chronic subdural haematomas in a patient with meningioma of the superior sagittal sinus - case report and pathophysiological study

Bilateral chronic subdural haemorrhage accompanying meningioma is a very rare clinical condition. We present a case of a 69-year-old female patient with large meningioma completely obliterating the posterior third part of the superior sagittal sinus with accompanying bilateral chronic subdural haematomas. Three anatomical zones of venous collateral circulation were revealed by the preoperative digital subtraction angiography. The tumour and haematomas were removed completely with no major complications. The most likely pathomechanism of the development of bilateral chronic subdural haematomas was venous hypertension caused by an occlusion of major cerebral venous trunks. As a result of a minor thrombotic incident or insignificant head injury, the distended veins of collateral circulation that were volumetrically burdened could have been damaged. Patients with large tumours occluding the superior sagittal sinus, who did not qualify for or refused surgery, should be carefully monitored clinically and neuroradiologically because of possibly increased risk of an intracranial haemorrhage.

Spontaneous acute subdural hematoma due to fondaparinux: Report of two cases

Background:

Spontaneous acute subdural hematomas (SDHs) are rare. Risk factors for development of these hematomas include conditions such as hypertension, vascular abnormalities such as aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation, or consumption of anticoagulants.

Case Description:

Here, the authors report two patients who suffered from spontaneous acute SDH while taking fondaparinux for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. One patient suffered from a remote episode of traumatic brain injury and underwent a decompressive craniectomy 3 weeks prior to presentation, whereas the other patient had been self-medicating with aspirin.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, these two patients illustrate the first cases of spontaneous acute SDH formation most likely attributed to consumption of fondaparinux.

Spontaneous bilateral supratentorial subdural and retroclival extradural hematomas in association with cervical epidural venous engorgement

We describe a case of 36-year-old man who presented with a subacute headache preceded by a 1-month history of posterior neck pain without trauma history. Head and neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies disclosed bilateral supratentorial subdural and retroclival extradural hematomas associated with marked cervical epidural venous engorgement. Cerebral and spinal angiography disclosed no abnormalities except dilated cervical epidural veins. We performed serial follow-up MRI studied to monitor his condition. Patient's symptoms improved gradually. Serial radiologic studies revealed gradual resolution of pathologic findings. A 3-month follow-up MRI study of the brain and cervical spine revealed complete resolution of the retroclival extradural hematoma, disappearance of the cervical epidural venous engorgement, and partial resolution of the bilateral supratentorial subdural hematoma. Complete resolution of the bilateral supratentorial subdural hematoma was confirmed on a 5-month follow-up brain MRI. The diagnosis and possible mechanisms of this rare association are discussed.

Intracranial hemorrhage and rebleeding in suspected victims of abusive head trauma: addressing the forensic controversies

Does an expanded subarachnoid space predispose to subdural bleeding? What does heterogeneity in the appearance of a subdural collection on CT or MRI imaging indicate? Spontaneous rebleeding? Minor re-injury? Major re-injury? In some specific cases, answers to these questions have important forensic implications. To conclude objectively that an infant's intracranial hemorrhage or rebleeding resulted from inflicted injury or re-injury requires an in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of posttraumatic subdural and subarachnoid collections. The authors present two cases of indoor, accidental, pediatric, closed-head trauma that resulted in intracranial rebleeding. Both accidental cranial impacts occurred in medical settings and were independently witnessed by medical personnel. In addition, the authors summarize the relevant medical literature regarding pediatric intracranial bleeding and rebleeding.

A case of spontaneous acute subdural haematoma in traumatic carotid- cavernous fistula

SUMMARY

We report a case of acute subdural haematoma in traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula. The patient had a history of head trauma four years ago. Postoperative study revealed CCF of dominant posterior drainage with giant pseudoaneurysm. Thereafter endovascular treatment using detachable balloons and detachable platinum micro-coils made successful occlusion of the fistula preserving the ICA.