Extended survival after evacuation of subdural hematoma in a 102-year-old patient: case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Outcomes for elderly patients undergoing craniotomy for evacuation of subdural hematoma (SDH) have been reported to be poor with high mortality rates.


METHODS
We present the case of a patient who underwent craniotomies at the age of 102 years, and again at the age of 103 years, for acute SDHs with good recovery to her premorbid neurologic condition. A 102-year-old woman presented after falling to the floor, and underwent a left-sided craniotomy for evacuation of a large, left hemispheric acute SDH. She recovered from that event and returned home. Six months later, she presented after falling again and was found to have a large, right hemispheric acute SDH. A right-sided craniotomy was performed and again she made good recovery with return to her neurologic baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
We report this unique case of good recovery after 2 separate craniotomies for acute SDH in a patient older than 100 years. Implications of acute SDH in the elderly are discussed, as relevant to this case, with a review of the literature. Although the morbidity and mortality of acute SDH are high, particularly in elderly patients, there is potential for good recovery and excellent outcome in appropriately selected patients.
Vyas
Nilesh A
NA
Department of Neurosurgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Chicoine
Michael R
MR
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed