Chronic Subdural Hematoma Associated with Congenital Arachnoid Cysts: Management Dilemmas

Abstract

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the commonest diseases encountered by a neurosurgeon in daily practice. It is however rarely seen in young patients. Congenital arachnoid cysts have been implicated in both traumatic and spontaneous CSDH in young individuals. Optimum treatment strategies to address the CSDH and arachnoid cyst are not very well described. We report a young gentleman who was treated for a CSDH with arachnoid cysts, two months after a mild head injury. The patient was operated with a simple burr hole drainage of hematoma with a drain. He was discharged with no further need to address the arachnoid cyst. CSDH associated with arachnoid cysts can be treated with simple burr hole drainage. Craniotomy, fenestration and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion should be reserved only as secondary procedures.