Chronic subdural haematoma presenting as freezing of gait

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Sep 26:2017:bcr2017221469. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-221469.

Abstract

In this report, we describe a case of freezing of gait (FOG) in a patient with chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH). An 81-year-old patient presented with progressive FOG about 6 weeks after a minor head trauma. MRI revealed CSDH in the left hemisphere, resulting in a marked compression of the hemisphere. His FOG disappeared after neurosurgical evacuation of the haematoma. It is suggested that the subdural haematoma in his left frontal cortices caused FOG. CSDH should be considered as a differential diagnosis when FOG develops after a head trauma in elderly patients, and prompt evaluations including neuroimaging and timely neurosurgical intervention are required.

Keywords: movement disorders (other than Parkinson’s); neurological injury; trauma CNS/PNS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / complications*
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / diagnostic imaging
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / physiopathology*
  • Craniotomy*
  • Drainage
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / diagnostic imaging
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / etiology*
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / physiopathology
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / surgery*
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / complications*
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / diagnostic imaging
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / physiopathology
  • Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Recovery of Function
  • Treatment Outcome