Remote hemorrhage after burr-hole surgery for chronic subdural hematoma: A report of two cases

Granuloma formation as a late complication of burr-hole surgery for chronic subdural hematoma

BACKGROUND

Surgical treatment remains the mainstream therapeutic regimen for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), and burr-hole craniostomy with subdural drainage is the preferable approach. Herein, we reported a case of intracranial granuloma formation as a late complication of burr-hole surgery for CSDH.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 31-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of headache. Head computed tomography (CT) showed a subdural hematoma in the left frontal-temporal-parietal region with significant midline shifting. A burr-hole evacuation of the hematoma with closed-system drainage was performed. CT obtained immediately after the surgery demonstrated that the hematoma was mostly evacuated. Nine months later, he presented to us again due to intermittent headache in the left temporoparietal region. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a space-occupying mass at the site of the original hematoma. A bone-flap craniotomy was performed for resecting the mass. Histopathological examination revealed a granuloma. The microbial cultivation of the resected specimen was negative. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the headache was relieved.

CONCLUSION

Granuloma formation is an extremely rare late complication of burr-hole surgery for CSDH. Physicians involved in the perioperative management of CSDH should be aware of this condition, and bone-flap craniotomy may be warranted.

Butterfly needle tap and suction (BTS) technique: a treatment for recurrent chronic subdural hematoma after burr hole craniostomy

BACKGROUND

In this study, we propose a butterfly needle tap and suction (BTS) technique for recurrent chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) as an alternative to reoperation with burr hole craniostomy (BHC) and investigate its efficacy and safety. The procedure involves percutaneous puncture through the burr hole created during the previous surgery and subsequent hematoma evacuation using a butterfly needle.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients who underwent BTS for CSDH at Ogaki Municipal Hospital between January 2017 and December 2020. The follow-up CT scans were reviewed after several weeks. We evaluated the number of percutaneous punctures required to resolve CSDH during the BTS technique, the volume of the evacuated hematoma, and procedure-related complications.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were enrolled in the study, 21 of whom achieved resolution of the hematoma using punctures with the BTS technique alone (mean, 2.2 ± 1.5). Five patients had a recurrence of hematoma after one or more punctures during the BTS technique, and they underwent reoperation with BHC according to the surgeon's decision or patient requests. Among the 55 punctures, 43.0 ± 16.0 ml of hematoma was evacuated per puncture. The evacuated hematoma volume was 41.9 ± 16.4 ml in the BTS-alone group and 49.4 ± 12.9 ml in the reoperation group, with no significant difference (p = 0.25). Three patients complained of a headache during the puncture procedure, and no other complications, including intracranial hemorrhage or infection, were reported therein.

CONCLUSIONS

The BTS technique is an effective alternative to reoperation with BHC.

Rapid Spontaneous Resolution of Contralateral Lentiform Acute Subdural Hematoma After Burr Hole Trephination for Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Although rare, acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) may occur after burr hole trephination (BHT) for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). It usually occurs in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the burr hole site and rarely in the hemisphere contralateral to the burr hole site. On computed tomography (CT), SDH is usually crescent-shaped and occasionally lentiform or biconvex, which can be misdiagnosed as epidural hematoma (EDH). In rare cases, ASDH may resolve spontaneously and rapidly. Here, we report a case of rapid spontaneous resolution of contralateral lentiform ASDH after BHT for CSDH in a patient with brain atrophy. A 55-year-old man developed left CSDH 2 months after traumatic brain injury. Left BHT was performed, and a lentiform hematoma, presumed to be EDH, was found in the right frontal region on the CT scan acquired immediately after BHT. On the CT scan acquired 12 hours later, the lentiform hematoma disappeared and spread along the hemisphere. It was presumed to be ASDH. To prevent contralateral ASDH after BHT, slow decompression and minimal gentle or no irrigation should be performed during BHT, particularly in patients with brain atrophy.

Prospective Study on the Efficacy of Orally Administered Tranexamic Acid and Goreisan for the Prevention of Recurrence After Chronic Subdural Hematoma Burr Hole Surgery

OBJECTIVE

This prospective study investigated whether tranexamic acid and Goreisan effectively prevent recurrence after burr hole surgery for chronic subdural hematoma.

METHODS

A total of 297 patients with chronic subdural hematoma underwent initial burr hole surgery at our hospital from April 2014 to March 2018. Of these, 206 patients (250 hematomas) consented to participate in this study. Patients were randomly divided into the nonadministration, tranexamic acid, and Goreisan groups based on age. The oral administration intervention was implemented from the day after surgery, after which there was a 3-month follow-up. Recurrence rates were measured, and head computed tomography scan was used to measure the volume of residual hematoma 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 2, and 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 193 patients (232 hematomas) were followed-up for 3 months (82 hematomas in the nonadministration group, 72 hematomas in the tranexamic acid group, and 78 hematomas in the Goreisan group). There were no significant between-group differences in demographic characteristics, current drug treatment, comorbidities, hematoma, operation side (bilateral or unilateral), preoperative hematoma volume, and recurrence rates. At 1, 2, and 3 months, the residual hematoma volume was significantly smaller in the tranexamic acid group than in the other 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral administration of tranexamic acid or Goreisan does not minimize recurrence after chronic subdural hematoma burr hole surgery; however, tranexamic acid can reduce the hematoma volume.