A 59-year-old male with a recent fall and closed head injury presented with progressively worsening headaches. The fall occurred 9 days before presentation. On examination, no neurologic deficits were found. Noncontrast head CT demonstrated a 5 mm left convexity CSDH []. He underwent burr hole evacuation and was discharged on the subsequent day. He presented again on postoperative day 6 with recurrence of his headaches. Noncontrast head CT demonstrated recurrence of the left convexity subdural hematoma []. He subsequently underwent a left craniotomy for evacuation. He was discharged on postoperative day 2 with no postprocedural complications. At 1-month follow-up, he continued to complain of severe headaches. Surveillance CT demonstrated a new 27 mm right convexity mixed density subdural hematoma [ and ]. He subsequently underwent right MMA embolization as primary treatment. Intraprocedural digital subtraction angiogram revealed a Cognard Grade III cribriform plate DAVF supplied by the right ophthalmic artery draining into a right frontal cortical vein [ and ]. The right MMA temporoparietal and frontal branches were embolized with n-BCA glue. Follow-up was arranged to treat the DAVF at a later date and he was discharged the following day. The patient was subsequently lost to follow-up, but presented to the emergency department 4 months later with diplopia and a right abducens nerve palsy. Noncontrast head CT demonstrated significant reduction in size of the previously embolized right convexity subdural hematoma. He was admitted and underwent attempted endovascular treatment of the DAVF. Catheterization of the arterial and venous sides of the fistula achieved suboptimal positioning for liquid embolic embolization and so he underwent a right craniotomy for surgical ligation of the fistula. The patient experienced no postprocedural complications. At 2-week follow-up, there was complete resolution of his presenting symptoms and surveillance CT demonstrated no residual SDH.
A 68-year-old woman with polycythemia vera experienced a global, nonpositional headache for one day. She subsequently became comatose. On emergent evaluation she exhibited decorticate posturing. Her Glasgow coma score was 6. There was no preceding history of trauma, infection, or dehydration. She was not on anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents. Her polycythemia vera had been managed with therapeutic phlebotomy and hydroxyurea (500 mg daily). She had no prior history of thromboembolic events. Noncontrasted head CT showed extensive left 20 mm acute SDH with 16 mm of midline shift []. She underwent emergent craniotomy and hematoma evacuation. On careful inspection of the exposed brain, a prominent and engorged cortical vein observed. No other vascular abnormalities or potential bleeding sources were identified. CT venography and MR venography detected partial superior sagittal sinus thrombosis, which leads to the empty delta sign (the intraluminal thrombus prevents central filling of the sinus; ). She was managed conservatively with hydroxyurea, hydration, and aspirin. Laboratory analyses were notable for normal coagulation panel, normal platelet function assays, hematocrit of 45.9, negative thrombophilia evaluation (protein S, protein C, antithrombin III, anticardiolipin antibody, homocysteine, lupus anticoagulant, beta-2 glycoprotein antibodies, Factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin gene mutation). Analysis of DNA extracted from her blood revealed the presence of the V617F mutation within the JAK2 gene. Her 3-month outcome was poor (modified Rankin score 4).