Chronic subdural haematoma in the elderly

Abstract

Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is a common condition in the elderly neurosurgical population. It is thought to result from a combination of head trauma followed by an inflammatory reaction in the subdural space surrounding the brain. This results in the formation of a progressive encapsulated collection of blood and fluid which compresses underlying brain. Surgical drainage is the mainstay of treatment, and the introduction of subdural drains has significantly reduced CSDH recurrence and the associated morbidity. There is a growing field of research in CSDH aimed at defining the optimal surgical strategies and the role of adjuvant therapies such as steroids.