title: Remote epidural hemorrhage after unilateral decompressive hemicraniectomy in brain-injured patients.
abstract: Epidural hemorrhage (EDH) that develops remote from the decompressed hemisphere can be associated with devastating morbidity after hemicraniectomy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this study, we investigated the incidence, risk factors, and outcome influence of post-craniectomy remote EDH. For this retrospective study, we enrolled 139 patients undergoing unilateral hemicraniectomy for TBI. The patients were subdivided into two groups based on whether EDH remote from the site of bone decompression was present (n=11) or not (n=128). We identified the intergroup differences in clinical parameters and outcomes. Multivariate odds regression was used to adjust for independent risk factors of the development of EDH. The incidence of remote EDH following decompressive hemicraniectomy for TBI was 7.9%. There were two independent risk factors for remote EDH, including absence of contusional hemorrhage (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval=6.158, 1.090-34.802; p=0.040) and presence of remote skull fracture (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval=19.770, 2.194-178.152; p=0.008) in preoperative computed tomography scans. The mean Glasgow Outcome Scale did not differ between the patients with and without EDH. In conclusion, remote EDH in patients undergoing unilateral decompressive hemicraniectomy for TBI is not uncommon. The absence of contusional hemorrhage and presence of remote skull fracture are independent risk factors. Although postcraniectomy remote EDH is devastating, timely computed tomography scanning and immediate hematoma evacuation are efficient and crucial for patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. newlupin2001@yahoo.com.tw
authors.forename: Yu-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Tao-Chen
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Tsung-Han
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ka-Yen
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chen-Chieh
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D056424:Decompressive Craniectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006407:Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult