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.
A 39-year-old White Brazilian man was admitted to our Emergency Department after a motorcycle accident on a highway. Although he was hemodynamically stable, a neurological assessment revealed a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of six points and right eye mydriasis. No clotting dysfunction was detected by laboratory test. Computed tomography (CT) of his brain revealed right side ASDH, hemispheric edema and midline shift of 15.7mm with compression of his right lateral ventricle (Figure \n). He was immediately transferred to the Operating Room and a right decompressive craniectomy was performed. He was kept under sedation and his intracranial pressure (ICP) was continuously monitored in the intensive care unit. On the first postoperative day, he started to present elevated ICP refractory to hyperventilation and osmotic therapy. A new CT was then obtained and showed a large contralateral EDH (Figure \n) and frontal hemorrhage associated with catheter insertion. He was taken again to the Operating Room and surgical evacuation of the hematoma was performed. A brain CT following the second operation, revealed no residual EDH (Figure \n). He evolved hemodynamically unstable within the first 48 hours and no neurological improvement was observed after weaning sedation. He died on the ninth postoperative day.