Chronic Subdural Haematoma in Zaria

Abstract

Objective: To determine the demographic pattern, risk factors, clinical presentation, imaging pattern and outcome of surgical management of chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, North-West Nigeria.

Methodology: A retrospective study of case notes, operation registers and operation notes of 30 patients with CSDH, who had surgical treatment at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, from May 2007 to April, 2015.

Results: The series included 24 males (80%) and 6 females (20%), age range 7months-90years and mean age 45years. History of trauma to the head was obtained in 27 patients (90%), and mean interval from trauma to appearance of symptoms was 15.5days. The most common risk factor, besides trauma, was hypertension (23.3%). The principal symptoms were headache (53.3%) and altered consciousness (50%). The CSDH was left-sided in 12 patients (40%), right-sided in 8 (26.7%), and bilateral in the remaining 10 patients (33.3%). Post-operative complications occurred in 4 patients (13.3%), and were successfully treated, while 5 patients (16.7%) died in the hospital.

Conclusion: Chronic subdural haematoma presents at a relatively younger age in our centre than generally documented elsewhere; and the most common cause is trauma, particularly from motorcycle-related accidents. No statistically significant relationship was established between age and outcome, or between GCS at presentation and outcome.

Keywords: Burr hole, head trauma, hypertension, intracranial haemorrhage