Fibrin and Fibrinogen Degradation Products in Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Abstract

Fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) were examined in 30 cases of chronic subdural hematoma. Fibrinogen was not found in the contents of subdural hematoma in 29 cases, and only a small amount of fibrinogen was detected in the remaining case. The liquefied hematoma content was not coagulated by the addition of thrombin. Early FDP were present in one third of the cases in which paracoagulation tests were positive. Immunoelectrophoresis of hematoma demonstrated precipitation with anti-human fibrinogen serum, anti-FDP-D serum and anti-FDP-E serum. The amount of FDP in hematoma was 10.0 to 10500 μg/ml by hemagglutination-inhibition immunoassay, whereas FDP values were in the normal range in other body fluids, such as serum, cerebrospinal fluid and urine. These results indicate an increased local fibrinolytic activity in chronic subdural hematoma. It is also presumed that local hyperfibrinolysis plays an important role in the etiology of chronic subdural hematoma. © 1975, The Japan Neurosurgical Society. All rights reserved.