Tricompartmental, Remote Intracerebral Hemorrhages Following Drainage of a Unilateral Chronic Subdural Hematoma: An Appraisal of the Pathogenesis

Abstract

Intracerebral hemorrhage is a rare and unanticipated complication after burr hole drainage of a chronic subdural hematoma and usually occurs on the same side as the hematoma. In the absence of bleeding diathesis, iatrogenic injury or hypertension, it is commonly attributed to sudden expansion of the compressed brain, following rapid and uncontrolled removal of the subdural hematoma. Other factors like differential expansion of the various intracranial contents, abrupt changes in hemispheric balance, precipitous increase in focal cerebral blood flow, and unforeseen increase in cerebral venous pressure consequent to faulty positioning may also contribute to the pathogenesis of this complication.