Improving the management of acute subdural hematomas; identifying characteristics associated with acute subdural hematoma size and expansion.

Abstract

Purpose: The incidence of subdural hematomas (SDHs) is increasing due to the aging population, frequent use of anticoagulants/antiplatelets, and fall-related trauma. While some acute SDHs remain stable and require no intervention, others expand, necessitating neurosurgical management. Our study objective was to better identify predictors of acute SDH enlargement to guide clinical management.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 32,401 noncontrast CT brain scans over six years. We identified 262 patients with acute SDHs and evaluated demographic, clinical, and radiologic factors associated with hematoma enlargement and the need for surgical intervention. Statistical analyses, including univariate analyses, logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves, were performed to determine predictors of SDH growth and surgery.

Results: SDH enlargement occurred in 58/232 (25%) of patients with follow-up imaging. Larger initial SDH size, concurrent subarachnoid hemorrhage, hypertension, convexity location, and midline shift were significantly associated with hematoma expansion (p < 0.05). No patient with an initial SDH ≤ 3 mm required surgery initially or in follow-up, although 8/72 (11.1%) enlarged (maximum width 10 mm). An 8.5-mm initial SDH size threshold best predicted the need for surgical intervention (AUC 0.81).

Conclusions: Initial SDH size, hypertension, SAH, initial midline shift, and convexity location are key predictors of hematoma expansion. Although patients' with SDHs ≤ 3 mm rarely expanded, they never required surgery. A prospective study to determine a more judicious use of hospital-based resources, especially for those patients with initial SDH size > 3 mm who have risk factors for expansion, would be an important step in the management of SDHs.