A 30-year-old male, was admitted 1.5 hrs following trauma, with a GCS score of 7/15 and asymmetric but reacting pupils. A CT scan of the brain showed an acute SDH in the right fronto-temporo-parietal region with mass effect and midline shift []. There was also a thin EDH and a speck of extradural air in the contralateral temporal region, underlying an undisplaced fracture of the parietal bone, and diastasis of the squamosal suture [Figure and ]. He underwent emergency surgical evacuation of the SDH. A lax duroplasty, was performed, and the bone flap was not replaced, as the brain was tense. He remained under ventilator support, with the pupils equal and reacting to light. An hour later, his left pupil became dilated and nonreacting. A CT scan of the brain showed a large contralateral EDH and a thin SDH with midline shift, subfalcine, and uncal herniation []. The EDH showed mixed densities and “swirl sign” suggesting active hemorrhage. He underwent an emergency craniotomy, evacuation of the left EDH, and bipolar coagulation of the actively bleeding posterior branch of the middle meningeal artery (MMA). The dura was not opened, as the SDH was thin and the dura was lax after the evacuation of the EDH. Postoperatively, the pupils were again equal and reacting to light. A follow-up CT scan of the brain showed no residual EDH and a thin acute SDH []. His GOS-E was 7 (lower good recovery), at 6 months.
We report a 19-year-old Caucasian male of Iranian Nationality with acute right-sided traumatic SDH (due to car accident) with presenting Glasgow Coma Scale score of 6/15 and CT evidence of severe brain swelling and associated midline shift and contralateral small fractural EDH in the temporoparietal region (). The patient was anisocoric (right sided mydriasis) at presentation. He underwent an emergent decompressive craniectomy and evacuation of the SDH. During surgery, the brain showed considerable swelling after hematoma evacuation and coagulation of the ruptured bridging vein causative of hematoma. Therefore, an augmentation duraplasty using free pericranial flap was performed. Regarding severe brain swelling during operation, a possible intracranial pathology amenable to surgery was suspected and immediate post-operative CT scan revealed expansion of the contralateral EDH. Due to mass effect of EDH, a second surgery was offered. The patient’s family declined second surgery for EDH evacuation. The patient was transferred to intensive care undergoing ICP monitoring. Despite all medical measures such as mannitol, high dose barbiturate therapy, and mild hypothermia, the patient's ICP remained high (about 25 mmHg). CPP was around 65 mmHg. Serial CT scans were performed the next days, showing right PCA territory infarct as well as expansion and spontaneous resolution of the EDH. The ICP remained relatively high (about 20 mmHg) in the following days. The patient was discharged 3 months after admission in persistent vegetative state.