Objective: Subdural hematoma (SDH) is a frequent complication of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), in which epidural blood patch (EBP) may be applied as a treatment to stop cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. However, a clinical course of SDH in SIH patients has not been sufficiently evaluated. We retrospectively evaluated the temporal relationships between EBP and SDH in the patients with SIH.
Methods: Twenty-nine consecutive patients, diagnosed as SIH, were studied. Clinical records and images were retrospectively evaluated. When orthostatic headache continued for 2 weeks regardless of conservative treatment, EBP was performed under fluoroscopy.
Results: We detected 13(45%) cases of SDH (mean age 44 years, 8 males and 5 females). In 6 patients, SDHs disappeared after effective EBP, i.e., after the disappearance of orthostatic headache. In 3 patients, SDHs were enlarged or recurred after effective EBP, and in 4 patients, SDHs were first detected after effective EBP.
Conclusion: The knowledge of the presence of these types of SDH (enlarged or recurred or detected after EBP) may deserve clinical attention.
Keywords: Epidural blood patch; Spontaneous intracranial hypotension; Subdural hematoma.
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