This is a chronic collection of fluid / liquefied blood within the subdural space, often due to a preceding head injury, that may be very minor. Patients often present with worsening headaches, lateralising neurology, confusion or cognitive decline or deteriorating mobility. Surgical intervention involves either burr-hole drainage or a small craniotomy. In some cases, adjuvant or stand-alone MMA (middle meningeal artery) embolisation is considered.
If there is recent imaging demonstrating a CSDH, and the patient is presenting acutely with symptoms such as confusion, headaches or lateralising neurology, please refer urgently to on-call via Refer a Patient.
If there is no recent imaging, the patient will need to be seen and assessed in the nearest Emergency Department who will liaise with the service.
If this is an incidental finding without concerning symptoms, please refer to the joint geriatrics/interventional neuroradiology service team for assessment by emailing GeriatricTraumaConsultants@nbt.nhs.uk. They can assess whether the patient would benefit from an MMA embolisation.
Subdural hygromas describe an expansion of the subdural CSF spaces and are an incidental finding in the elderly population - they do not require intervention or follow up.
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