Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of planned control postoperative
brain computed tomography (CT) scan performed 4 to 6 weeks after the evacuation of
chronic subdural hematoma.
Materials and Methods This retrospective study examined 202 patients who during a 2-year period from 2011
and 2012 underwent surgical treatment for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Information
on patient age, sex, alcohol consumption, anticoagulant/antiplatelet treatment, history
of head trauma, Glasgow coma scale (GCS), neurological symptoms, laterality of CSDH,
and surgical technique was retrieved from patient charts.
Results Overall, 27 out of 202 patients had a recurrence of CSDH and re-evacuation of the
hematoma was performed. In all patients recurrence of neurological symptoms preceded
the planned postoperative control brain CT 4 to 6 weeks after primary surgery.
Conclusion Routinely postoperative control brain CT scan 4 to 6 weeks after the evacuation of
a CSDH has no clinical value.
Keywords
chronic subdural hematoma - postoperative CT scan - evacuation - recurrence
