Subdural Hematoma Mimickers: A Systematic Review

MRI appearance of chronic subdural hematoma

Objective

We aimed to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) and to ascribe MRI patterns.

Methods

A total of 20 patients having 27 subdural hematomas underwent contrast-enhanced (CE) MRI of the brain at our institution between April 2019 and May 2021. The images were independently evaluated by two experienced neuroradiologists with regard to imaging characteristics on T1w, T2w, T2*-GRE, FLAIR, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI), and CE images.

Results

The signal characteristics of cSDH on T1- and T2-weighted images were rather heterogeneous. The majority of hematomas (74%) had internal septations. Surprisingly, contrast enhancement along the outer membrane adjacent to the cranium was noticed in all hematomas. There was also contrast enhancement along the inner membrane adjacent to the brain in more than one-third of the hematomas (37%). In approximately two-thirds of the cSDH (62%), there was a mass-like enhancement of the hematoma. Most hematomas (89%) were partially hypointense on T2*-GRE and/or susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). Restricted diffusion was detected in approximately one-third of the hematomas (33%).

Conclusion

Consistent contrast enhancement along the outer membrane, triangular-shaped contrast enhancement at the borders of the cSDH, and infrequent enhancement of the inner membrane may help to distinguish cSDH from other entities such as empyema and tumors. Mass-like enhancement may refer to non-solid hematomas and could be an indicator for hematoma growth and a possible surrogate for successful endovascular embolization. Restricted diffusion in a subdural mass is not specific for empyema but may also be found in cSDH.

Subdural anaplastic large-cell lymphoma presenting as a subacute epidural hematoma on imaging: A case report

RATIONALE

Subdural anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (SALCL) is an extremely rare subtype of primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. Here, we report a very rare subdural lymphoma case, which was misdiagnosed as a subacute epidural hematoma based on the radiological examination.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present the case of an 82-year-old patient who presented with a 2-day history of headache and consciousness disorder following head injury. Computed tomography of the head revealed a fusiform isodense/slightly dense shadow under the right temporoparietal occipital cranial plate, suggesting a subacute epidural hematoma. It was initially misdiagnosed as a right traumatic subacute epidural hematoma with hemiplegia of the left limb. According to the patient's condition, an emergency craniotomy was performed to remove the hematoma. However, it was found that the lesion was located under the dura mater and was yellowish-brown with yellowish-brown liquid inside. The appearance of the lesion looked like bean curd residue. Histopathological examination diagnosed ALCL.

DIAGNOSIS

SALCL presenting as a subacute epidural hematoma on imaging.

INTERVENTIONS

Operation.

OUTCOMES

The patient died 1 month after being discharged automatically.

CONCLUSIONS

This report shows a rare radiography presentation of SALCL. SALCL can mimic the appearance of an epidural hematoma and should be regarded as a differential diagnosis even in patients with a history of craniocerebral injury and the "typical" imaging appearance of an epidural hematoma. The report is hoped to provide a scientific reference for the clinical diagnosis of subdural lymphoma.

Holohemispheric Prostate Carcinoma Dural Metastasis Mimicking Subdural Hematoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Prostate carcinomas are the most common malignancy to metastasize to the dura. These metastases can commonly mimic subdural hematomas and may similarly present with brain compression. The optimal management and outcomes after surgical management are not well characterized. We present a case of prostate carcinoma metastatic to the dura that was initially thought to be a large isodense subdural hematoma and was treated with surgical decompression. We also review the literature regarding prostate dural metastases mimicking subdural hematomas and discuss the relevant imaging findings, treatments, and outcomes. Dural metastasis should be considered when a patient with known metastatic prostate cancer presents with imaging evidence of a subdural mass.

Case Report: Creeping Growth in Lymphoplasmacyte-Rich Meningioma-A Radiologic Variant

Lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma (LRM) is a rare histologic subtype of meningioma. Creeping-growth pattern is uncommon in meningioma, and the mechanism is unclear. Here, we report a 44-year-old man presented with extremities weakness for 2 months and incontinence for 2 weeks. Head and neck MRI revealed diffuse creeping-growth nodular meningeal masses with skull base, tentorium, sella area, and C1-6 vertebral plane involvement. An operation was carried out, cervical and lower clivus part of the lesion was resected, but gross total resection could not be achieved due to the widespread lesions. Pathologic examination revealed the diagnosis of LRM. The patient is free from progression clinically 3 months postoperatively. We also conducted a systematic literature review about LRM with creeping-growth pattern. A total of only nine cases (including the present case) of creeping-growth LRMs were included and analyzed in terms of clinical manifestations, radiological features, treatment, and outcome. LRMs show a higher rate (7.5%) of creeping-growth pattern than other types of meningiomas. The average creeping length of all creeping-growth LRMs was 11.4 ± 10.9 cm (range, 3–30 cm). Most cases (66.7%) had obvious peritumoral edema. Total removal rate is low (33.3%), and two of them (22.2%) received biopsy, followed by steroids treatment (or further immunosuppressive drugs therapy) and radiotherapy. The recurrence rate is higher than conventional LRMs (22.2 vs. 11.3%), and one patient (11.1%) died 11 months after treatment. Creeping-growth pattern in LRM may be considered as a general radiologic variant. The recurrence rate is higher compared with LRM with round/swelling pattern. We speculated that the pathogenesis of creeping growth in LRM may be associated with damage of lymphatic systems of the central nervous system.

Spontaneous acute epidural hematoma associated with chronic subdural hematoma due to dural metastasis of gastric carcinoma: a case report and literature review

Background: Non-traumatic spontaneous acute epidural hematoma (EDH) happening to chronic subdural hematoma (SDH) caused by dural metastases is a rare entity. Pathogenesis can be derived from infection, coagulopathy, and inflammation. Malignant tumors metastasize to dura mater is one of the most infrequent causes. The exact mechanism remains elusive in spite of several possible speculations. The clinical manifestations, management and outcomes vary among reported cases.Case Description: A 45-year-old woman without history of trauma presented with headache, vomiting and disturbance of consciousness and developed brain hernia rapidly. On arival, she has lost into coma with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score 5, bilateral pupils were not equal, with disappeared reflectance. Emergency imaging prompted large acute EDH, combined with SDH, arising from dural granular neoplasm confirmed intraoperatively. Four days after surgery, the bilateral pupils were equal in size and sensitive to light reflection.Conclusion: Dural metastases can cause EDH, chronic SDH can also be resulted from metastatic tumors of dura mater. When dealing with spontaneous non-traumatic hematoma around the dura mater, to make the precise diagnosis is sometimes doubtful and confusing. The stream of diagnostic thinking should be opened, including medical diseases such as liver and kidney disease, drug history, history of cancer and other possible clues. Thus, a detailed and purposeful systematic medical history review and physical examination is important in order to make more appropriate strategies for the clinic.

Cases of endocranial lesions on juvenile skeletons from Longshan cultural sites in Henan Province, China

Endocranial lesions were recognized on eight out of the 31 juveniles (25.8%) that were recovered from three Neolithic archaeological sites in Henan province. The remains of juveniles were recovered from urn burials at the Jiazhuang site (2200-2030 BCE) and graves at the Pingliangtai (2300-2100 BCE) and Haojiatai sites (2448-1700 BCE). The presence of endocranial lesions on all eight of these juvenile skulls was associated with a range of lesions on other bones, including areas of abnormal porosity and subperiosteal new bone deposition on either the sphenoid, maxilla, mandibular ramus, or orbit, as well as subperiosteal lesions on the postcranial bones. Several plausible explanations for the formation of these endocranial lesions in our eight cases include scurvy, shaken baby syndrome, and intrathoracic disease (such as tuberculosis or pulmonary infection). We show that the presence of endocranial lesions had a strong correspondence with skeletal markers of dietary deficiency, i.e. scurvy, and in one case, anemia. Millet was a key component of the Longshan subsistence in the area, while paleobotanical evidence of fruit and leafy vegetables appears to be limited, likely resulting in a nutrient deficient diet. The coupling of endocranial lesions with skeletal signs of dietary deficiency can be direct, as scurvy favors hemorrhaging, or mediated by physiological or sociocultural factors, and thereby represents comorbidity.

Rheumatoid meningitis can present MRI findings that mimic chronic subdural haematoma

A 65-year-old woman with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experienced a recurrent tingling sensation in her left arm followed by aphasia and a tingling sensation in her right arm. A subsequent imaging study showed bilateral subdural fluid accumulation and we initially diagnosed her with a transient ischaemic attack and chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH). The cerebral spinal fluid study revealed an inflammatory response without any indications of infection or malignant tumours. After a meningeal biopsy, we redefined the diagnosis to rheumatoid meningitis (RM), and the patient showed remarkable improvement with prednisolone administration. RM should be considered as an alternative diagnosis when examining central nervous system diseases in patients with RA, as RM presents a highly variable clinical picture with image findings similar to those of CSDH.

When hoofbeats mean zebras not horses: Tumour mimics of subdural haematoma - Case series and literature review

Chronic subdural haematomas are common neurosurgical conditions, especially in the elderly patients, with straightforward surgical treatments. However, infrequently, tumours are misdiagnosed as subdural haematoma on initial brain CT scans and are only discovered intraoperatively. In this case series, we presented 3 different patients who were initially thought to have subdural haematoma but later found to be tumour mimics of different histological origin. A literature review and discussion of recently published tumour mimics of subdural haematoma was also performed. It is recommended that in patients with suggestive oncological or haematological history, or unusual characteristics on the plain CT brain, a high level of suspicion of tumour mimics needs to be maintained. A full workup with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is important to distinguish from subdural haematoma, as the treatment paradigms and prognoses are vastly different.

Subdural haematoma mimics

A subdural haematoma (SDH) is a frequently encountered pathology seen on an emergency room computed tomography (CT) head scan. An extra-axial crescentic density along the convexity of the brain or within the interhemispheric fissure is generally thought to represent a SDH; however, SDH mimics are known to occur in nature, and can be broadly classified under the subcategories of normal anatomy, artefacts, tumour, inflammation, infection, ischaemia, trauma, and iatrogenic. Understanding the typical characteristics of a SDH, knowledge of normal anatomy, close inspection of the morphology of the subdural process, changes to the adjacent structures, and rigorous attention to clinical details may reveal subtle clues that distinguish a true SDH from a mimic. This is crucial in appropriately directing clinical management. This review amalgamates most of the rare subdural processes that have been reported to mimic SDH, and discusses the imaging and clinical features that help to differentiate between them. This topic is highly valuable for radiology trainees, general radiologists, and emergency room physicians, and may serve as a refresher for the practising neuroradiologist.

Mantle Cell Lymphoma with Central Nervous System Involvement Simulating Bilateral Subdural Hematomas

We describe a 71-year-old-patient receiving antiplatelet therapy and being attended by emergency medical services for psychomotor retardation and gait disturbance. An emergency computed tomographic scan showed a bilateral subacute hematoma. The patient reported a fall 2 weeks earlier. We performed bilateral drills and saw a solid mass that was biopsied. The patient had a history of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) in complete remission (results of bone marrow biopsy and whole-body positron emission tomography-computed tomography scans were normal 6 months earlier). We diagnosed an intracranial MCL by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. We performed magnetic resonance imaging. The results of a new bone marrow biopsy were positive for recurrence of MCL. MCL constitutes approximately 5%-6% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The incidence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement between MCLs is 4.1%. After a review of the literatures we found small series comprising 3-5 cases and a multicenter study with 57 cases. Until now, the median survival was 3.7 months. Ibrutinib, an oral Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated efficacy and CNS penetration in relapsed or refractory MCL with rapid and complete response even after 1 year of follow-up. Our patient received ibrutinib and had a complete response at 3 months, which was maintained to the present (6 months). After a review of the literature, we found different pathologies that can mimic subdural hematomas. However, this is the first report of a lymphoma with CNS involvement mimicking bilateral subdural hematomas. This report contributes to the knowledge of lymphomas with CNS involvement. Its strange radiographic appearance and histologic type make it unique.