Sequentially evolved bilateral epidural haematomas.
Sequentially evolved bilateral epidural haematomas, where the second haematoma evolves after surgical removal of the first haematoma, are rarely reported. We report two cases of this entity. One patient was involved in a road traffic accident and the other was suffering from a head injury after an assault. CT scans showed that both patients had an unilateral epidural haematoma with a thin presumably epidural haemorrhage on the opposite side. Both patients were operated for their epidural haematomas, but did not improve after surgical treatment, and postoperative CT scans revealed evolving of an epidural haematoma on the opposite side. After evacuation of the second epidural haematoma both patients recovered quickly. Sequentially evolved bilateral epidural haematomas are rare, but must be considered in the postoperative intensive care treatment in patients with epidural haematomas. Both cases emphasize the need for intensive care monitoring after an operation for an epidural haematoma and the need for CT scans if the patient does not improve quickly after removal of the haematoma. This is especially important if a small contralateral haematoma is seen on the initial CT scan.
Rochat
P
P
Department of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. per.rochat@dadlnet.dk
Johannesen
H H
HH
Poulsgård
L
L
Bøgeskov
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006407:Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012086:Reoperation; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed