Cerebral Vasospasm After Burr Hole Evacuation of Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Cureus. 2024 Feb 28;16(2):e55140. doi: 10.7759/cureus.55140. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Cerebral vasospasm is a frequent complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage. We report a case of chronic subdural hematoma complicated by cerebral vasospasm after burr hole evacuation. A 74-year-old woman underwent burr hole evacuation of a chronic subdural hematoma. She developed left hemiparesis and disturbance of consciousness on postoperative day 3. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a right parietal infarct and decreased cerebral blood flow signal in the right middle cerebral artery territory. Digital subtraction angiography showed multiple segmental narrowings of the right middle cerebral artery. Her neurological symptoms recovered with conservative treatment. Follow-up angiography showed improvement in the arterial narrowing, which finally led to a diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm. Cerebral vasospasm can occur after burr hole evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma. Magnetic resonance angiography is useful for determining the cause of postoperative neurological worsening in chronic subdural hematoma patients.

Keywords: cerebral vasospasm; chronic subdural hematoma (csdh); digital subtraction angiography (dsa); ischemic stroke; magnetic resonance angiography (mra); subarachnoid hemorrhage; traumatic brain injury (tbi).

Publication types

  • Case Reports