Abstract

We report a case of bilateral chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) operated with a single burr-hole on the more symptomatic side (left) followed by a symptomatic expansion of the contralateral (right) hematoma 7 days after the surgery treated again with a burr-hole on the other side. A week later the patient presented again a bilateral CSDH that was re-operated on both side with a good outcome at 6 months follow-up. Relevant literature was reviewed, and we believe that the multiple recurrence of these hematomas in the opposite hemisphere resulted from the rapid drainage of the hematoma, which caused the rupture of weak bridging veins during drainage. Slow decompression is recommended to avoid rapid intracranial changes during drainage of a subdural hematoma.

Keywords

chronic subdural hematoma, contralateral recurrence, drainage