Procollagen propeptides in chronic subdural hematoma reveal sustained dural collagen synthesis after head injury.
OBJECTIVE
To study the hypothesis that concentrations of procollagen propeptides of type I and III collagens (PICP and PIIINP, respectively) and the carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) in subdural haematoma increase in a time-dependent manner as a sign of dural collagen synthesis after head injury.


METHODS
Thirty-six patients with subdural haematoma were operated. Subdural haematoma fluid samples were assayed for the concentrations of PICP, PIIINP and ICTP by specific radioimmunoassays.


RESULTS
High concentrations of PICP, PIIINP and ICTP were found in subdural haematoma. The mean concentration of PICP in the 36 subdural haematoma samples was 11.8 (SD 9.27) mg/l, the concentration of PIIINP 590 (SD 302) microg/l and that of ICTP 32.0 (SD 12.1) microg/l. The time elapsed from the alleged head injury to operation could be defined in 30 patients. The concentrations of PICP, PIIINP and ICTP in subdural haematoma increased rapidly during the first two weeks after head injury and then stayed high for at least three months.


CONCLUSIONS
High concentrations of procollagen propeptides were found in subdural haematoma samples of different haematoma age. Concentrations of these propeptides seem to follow a time-dependent course. The elevation of the concentrations of procollagen propeptides in subdural haematoma may be regarded as a sign of sustained dural collagen synthesis after head injury.
Heula
Anna-Leena
AL
Dept. of Neurosurgery, Oulu University Hospital, Kajaanintie 50, 90220 Oulu, Finland.
Sajanti
Juha
J
Majamaa
Kari
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000378:metabolism*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D020200:Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D011347:Procollagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013353:Subdural Effusion / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors
D024042:Collagen Type I; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011347:Procollagen; C041876:procollagen Type III-N-terminal peptide; C042813:procollagen type I carboxy terminal peptide