Giant Globular (Biconvex) Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Abstract

Introduction Hydrocephalus is a frequent neurological condition in childhood. The most common approach to this disease is still ventricular shunting. However, shunting problems, including catheter infection or shunting malfunctioning, contribute to several complications, such as extra-axial hematomas, which are a possibly life-threatening.

Case report We report the case of a 6-month-old female infant victim of brain trauma. She was previously shunted because of an obstructive hydrocephalus consequent of an aqueductal stenosis diagnosed early after birth. After brain injury, initial symptoms were only irritability and horizontal nystagmus. A computed tomography scan revealed an extra-axial mass lesion that suggested a giant globular extradural hematoma. The patient was submitted to a small exploratory craniectomy to evacuate the blood clot. Surprisingly, the supposed extradural hematoma was, in fact, a chronic subdural hematoma with an unusual shape. After the surgical drainage, the patient remained asymptomatic. No lesion recurrence has been detected so far.

Conclusions The case illustrates a very uncommon and interesting presentation of a common neurosurgical disease. A full characterization of the lesion and its pathophysiology is made, and a particular surgical management is proposed and thoroughly discussed.

Resumo

Introdução A hidrocefalia é uma condição neurológica frequente na infância. A abordagem mais comum continua sendo o shunt ventricular. Contudo, os problemas de shunt, incluindo a infecção do catéter ou o mal funcionamento do shunt, contribuem para diversas complicações, como hematomas extra-axiais, uma complicação com potencial comprometimento de vida.

Relato de caso Relatamos o caso de uma recém-nascida de 6 meses de idade vítima de trauma cerebral. Ela recebeu previamente um shunt para hidrocefalia obstrutiva consequente de estenose do aqueduto diagnosticada logo após o nascimento. Após o dano cerebral, os sintomas iniciais foram apenas irritabilidade e nistagmo horizontal. Tomografia computadorizada revelou uma massa extra-axial lesionada que sugeriu um hematoma globular extradural gigante. A paciente foi submetida a uma pequena craniectomia exploratória para extração do coágulo sanguíneo. Surpreendentemente, o suposto hematoma extradural era, na verdade, um hematoma subdural crônico com formato anormal. Após drenagem cirúrgica, a paciente permaneceu assintomática. Nenhuma lesão recorrente foi detectada até a presente publicação.

Conclusões O caso exemplifica uma apresentação muito incomum e interessante de um distúrbio neurocirúrgico comum. Uma caracterização completa da lesão e de sua patofisiologia é feita, e um procedimento cirúrgico particular é proposto e exaustivamente discutido.

Keywords

hydrocephalus - ventriculoperitoneal shunt - traumatic brain injury - subdural hematoma - globular hematoma

Palavras-chave

hidrocefalia - shunt ventriculoperitoneal - traumatismo encefálico - hematoma subdural - hematoma globular

Consent

An informed consent was obtained from the parents of the patient for case publication.

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