Volume 2012, Issue 1 753596
Review Article
Open Access

Management of Patients Presenting with Acute Subdural Hematoma due to Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysm

Serge Marbacher

Corresponding Author

Serge Marbacher

Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital Aarau, 5001 Aarau, Switzerland ksa.ch

Search for more papers by this author
Ottavio Tomasi

Ottavio Tomasi

Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital Aarau, 5001 Aarau, Switzerland ksa.ch

Search for more papers by this author
Javier Fandino

Javier Fandino

Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital Aarau, 5001 Aarau, Switzerland ksa.ch

Search for more papers by this author
First published: 01 March 2012
Citations: 9
Academic Editor: Mark Morasch

Abstract

Acute subdural hematoma is a rare presentation of ruptured aneurysms. The rarity of the disease makes it difficult to establish reliable clinical guidelines. Many patients present comatose and differential diagnosis is complicated due to aneurysm rupture results in or mimics traumatic brain injury. Fast decision-making is required to treat this life-threatening condition. Determining initial diagnostic studies, as well as making treatment decisions, can be complicated by rapid deterioration of the patient, and the mixture of symptoms due to the subarachnoid hemorrhage or mass effect of the hematoma. This paper reviews initial clinical and radiological findings, diagnostic approaches, treatment modalities, and outcome of patients presenting with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage complicated by acute subdural hematoma. Clinical strategies used by several authors over the past 20 years are discussed and summarized in a proposed treatment flowchart.

1. Introduction

Rupture of a cerebral aneurysm normally results in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and is often complicated by intracerebral hematoma (ICH), but only on rare occasions does it cause acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) [1]. Diagnosis of aneurysmal SAH can be difficult in comatose patients in whom loss of conscious due to aneurysm rupture results in or mimics a traumatic brain injury [2]. Determining a differential diagnosis and treatment modalities can further be complicated by the rapid clinical course and the mixture of symptoms due to the ruptured aneurysm and the mass effect of the hematoma.

Rapid decision making is required to treat this life-threatening condition. The majority of patients with aneurysmal SAH and coincidental acute subdural bleeding present in a severe clinical condition, and immediate surgical management is required [24]. Decisions to be made include whether preoperative diagnostic studies should precede surgery and whether obliteration of the aneurysm should be performed during hematoma evacuation or in a separate delayed intervention after resuscitation procedures.

The incidence of combined SAH and aSDH varies from 0.5% [5, 6] to 10% [7] in clinical series. The rarity of aneurysmal aSDH makes it difficult to design reliable clinical treatment guidelines. Large systematic series do not exist, and thus treatment decisions are mainly based on personal experience. The aim of this review is to propose a management flow chart and protocol based on published experience with such cases over the past two decades.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Search Strategy

The literature was screened for case studies of acute subdural hematoma secondary to ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Articles for this review were identified by MEDLINE PubMed database searches of the literature from January 1990 through December 2009 using the terms “acute subdural hematoma,” “subarachnoid hemorrhage,” and “cerebral aneurysm” (by using the Boolean operator AND) (Table 1). The senior author independently assessed the reproducibility of the search strategy on August 30, 2010, two days after the first author’s search. Cross-references were checked in each eligible article.

Table 1. Search Strategy*.
Search number Process description Results
(“key words”) (no. of articles)
no. 1 Search “cerebral aneurysm” 22944
no. 2 Search “subarachnoid hemorrhage” 17883
no. 3 Search “subdural hematoma” 7732
no. 4 Search #1 AND #2 AND #3 155
no. 5 Search “01/1990–12/2009” AND #4 85
  • *All searches for this study were performed on August 28, 2010, by the first author and verified by the second author on August 30, 2010. The publication date limits were set to January 1990–December 2009.

2.2. Selection Criteria

Articles were excluded based on title and abstract because they (i) were not written in the English language, (ii) were technical notes or laboratory investigations, or (iii) were not peer-reviewed/original studies. The remaining articles were selected for inclusion if the patients were adults and the single cases or case series provided detailed descriptions of clinical characteristics and patient management.

2.3. Data Acquisition

From selected cases, we extracted the following characteristics and recorded them in a data sheet: age; gender; initial clinical findings, including Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) [8] score, clinical SAH grade based on the Hunt and Hess (H&H) [9, 10], and the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) [11] classifications; presence of major (aphasia, hemiparesis, or hemiplegia) and minor (cranial nerve palsies) focal neurological deficits, hemodynamic situation at the time of admission; radiological assessment, including computed tomography (CT) scan, CT angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MR angiography (MRA), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA); additional presence of SAH, intracerebral hematoma (ICH); side and size of aSDH and associated midline shift; aneurysm size and location; case management; outcome according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), modified Rankin Score (mRS), and Barthel index (BI).

3. Results

The initial search retrieved 85 publications which matched the terms “cerebral aneurysm” AND “subarachnoid hemorrhage” AND “acute subdural hematoma.” 59 publications were excluded after screening of titles and abstracts. This left 26 articles potentially eligible for detailed evaluation. Six articles were not included as they did not match the selection criteria. The remaining 20 articles including 82 cases underwent detailed analysis [24, 1214, 1626, 2830]. Characteristics of the 82 cases are summarized in Table 2. Graphs displaying the analyzed data appear in Figure 1.

Table 2. Patient characteristics*.
Series/year of publication Case no. Age/sex Initial clinical findings Initial diagnostics SAH ICH Side of aSDH Size of aSDH MLS Location of aneurysm Size of aneurysm Management (hours from ictus) Outcome
Watanabe et al. [30]/1991 1 51/m WFNS 5, GCS 4, decerebrate posture, bilaterally dilated fixed pupils ataxic breath CT scan No No Lt Lt Pcal (ACA) Emergency craniectomy and hematoma evacuation (1 h) Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Watanabe et al. [30]/1991 2 72/f WFNS 4, GCS 12, right hemiparesis CT scan, DSA Yes No Lt Rt Pcal (ACA) Clipping (on day 15) Returned to normal daily life, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Watanabe et al. [30]/1991 3 74/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, decerebrate posture, ataxic breath, dilation of the left pupil CT scan, DSA failed Yes No Rt Lt Pcal (ACA) (found at autopsy) Inoperable Deceased (3 days after onset), GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 4 67/f H&H IV, paresis CT scan, DSA Yes No MCA 30 mm Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping Vegetative state, GOS 2, mRS 5
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 5 50/f H&H III CT scan, DSA Yes Yes ICA 28 mm Inoperable because of rerupture on admission Decubitus and pneumonia, deceased, GOS 1, mRs 6
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 6 67/f H&H V, paresis CT scan, DSA Yes Yes MCA 4 mm Inoperable Deceased (on arrival), GOS 1, mRs 6
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 7 52/f H&H V CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Not detected Inoperable Deceased (on arrival), GOS 1, mRs 6
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 8 69/f H&H II CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Acom 27 mm Inoperable because of severe spasm on admission Deceased, GOS 1, mRs 6
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 9 63/f H&H II CT scan, DSA Yes No MCA 4 mm Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 10 73/m H&H IV, paresis CT scan, DSA Yes No Acom 7 mm Clinical deterioration, no operation impossible Deceased, GOS 1, mRs 6
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 11 64/m H&H V, preoperative rerupture, cardiac failure CT scan, DSA failed Yes No Not detected Inoperable Deceased (nonfilling state DSA), GOS 1, mRs 6
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 12 72/f H&H IV, paresis CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Distal ACA 4 mm Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 13 70/m H&H IV, paresis CT scan, DSA Yes Yes MCA 6 mm Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 14 72/f H&H V CT scan, DSA Yes Yes ICA 4 mm Inoperable Deceased (day 1), GOS 1, mRs 6
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 15 59/m H&H V CT scan, DSA Yes Yes MCA 22 mm Inoperable Deceased (day 2), GOS 1, mRs 6
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 16 39/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, decerebrate posturing, dilation of the right pupil CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Moderate to marked Distal ACA 3 mm Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Kamiya et al. [5]/1991 17 71/f H&H III CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Acom 11 mm Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Rusyniak et al. [12]/1992 19 74/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, decerebrate posturing, bilaterally miotic pupils CT scan, CTA Yes Yes Rt Rt ICA-Pcom Hematoma evacuation, immediate clipping Complete recovery, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Ragland et al. [13]/1993 20 27/m GCS 5 right pupil nonreactive left mydriasis CT scan, DSA No no Rt Moderate to marked Acom 20 mm Hematoma evacuation, Maximal medical treatment Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
O’Sullivan et al. [3]/1994 21 32/m WFNS 5, GCS 4, bilaterally fixed pupils, hypertensive with bradycardia CT scan Yes Lt Lt ICA-Pcom 12 mm Mannitol, without effect on pupillary response (3 h), died before decompression Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
O’Sullivan et al. [3]/1994 22 48/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, dilated unreactive pupils, unstable cardiopulmonary situation CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Rt Rt ICA-Pcom 15 mm Manitol, without effect on pupillary response, hematoma evacuation, and clipping of the aneurysm (7 h) Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
O’Sullivan et al. [3]/1994 23 36/f WFNS 5, GCS 3, bilaterally fixed pupils CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Rt Rt MCA 12 mm Hematoma evacuation (4 h) and delayed clipping (day 4) Residual mild left hemiparesis, returned to work as a teacher, GOS 4, mRS 3
  
O’Sullivan et al. [3]/1994 24 63/f WFNS 5, GCS 3, dilated unreactive pupils CT scan, DSA Yes Rt Rt ICA-Pcom 20 mm Hematoma evacuation (4 h) and delayed clipping (day 7) Full recovery, returned to normal lifestyle, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
O’Sullivan et al. [3]/1994 25 62/f WFNS 3, GCS 14, mild left hemiparesis CT scan, DSA Yes No Rt 20 mm Rt ICA-Pcom 4 mm Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping Uneventful recovery, returned to normal lifestyle, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Nowak et al. [14]/1995 26 52/f WFNS 5, GCS 3, dilated unreactive pupils, hypertensive crisis (systolic BP 280 mmHg) CT scan Yes No Rt Rt Pcal (ACA) Manitol, emergency hematoma evacuation Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Nowak et al. [14]/1995 27 45/f WFNS 1, GCS 15, disturbances of vision CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Rt 10 mm Rt MCA Hematoma evacuation and clipping (day 1) Full recovery, returned to normal lifestyle, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Nowak et al. [14]/1995 28 49/f WFNS 5, GCS 3, mild left-sided hemiparesis CT scan Yes Rt Marked Rt MCA >25 mm Emergency hematoma evacuation with gluing of the aneurysm Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6 (rebleeding)
  
Nowak et al. [14]/1995 29 63/m WFNS 5, GCS < 6, right dilated pupil CT scan, DSA Yes Rt Rt MCA 10 mm Immediate hematoma evacuation and delayed clipping (week 5) Full recovery, no serious neurological deficits, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Ishibashi et al. [15]/1997 30 54/f WFNS 1, GCS 15, no neurological deficit CT scan, DSA No No Lt Lt ICA-PCom Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping (<24 h) No neurological deficit, return to normal life, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Nonaka et al. [16]/2000 31 52/f GCS 4, decerebrate rigidity, and left oculomotor paresis CT scan, DSA No No Lt Moderate to marked Lt ICA-PCom 10 mm Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping (>24 h) Full recovery, no neurological deficits, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 32 68/m WFNS 2, GCS 14, H&H II CT scan, DSA Yes No <25 cc <5 mm Acom Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping (6 h) Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 33 61/f WFNS 4, GCS 10, H&H IV CT scan, DSA Yes Yes <25 cc <5 mm Rt MCA Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping (6 h) Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 34 75/f WFNS 4, GCS 11, H&H IV CT scan, DSA Yes Yes <25 cc <5 mm Lt MCA Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping (6 h) Severe disability, GOS 3, mRS 5
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 35 28/f WFNS 5, GCS 5, H&H IV CT scan, No No Rt <25 cc >10 mm Lt ICA-Pcom (autopsy) Craniectomy and hematoma evacuation Deceased (5 days after admission), GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 36 53/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, H&H V, bilaterally dilated pupils CT scan, DSA Yes No Rt <25 cc >10 mm Rt ICA-Pcom Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and clipping Deceased (3 days after admission due to severe postoperative brain swelling), GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 37 72/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, H&H V CT scan, Yes No <25 cc >10 mm Lt ICA-Pcom (autopsy) Infusions of manitol, burr hole Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 38 53/m WFNS 5, GCS 5, H&H V CT scan Yes No <25 cc >10 mm Unknown Infusions of manitol, burr hole Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 39 47/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, H&H V CT scan Yes No <25 cc >10 mm Unknown Infusions of manitol, burr hole Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 40 70/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, H&H V CT scan Yes Yes <25 cc >10 mm Unknown No response to manitol infusion, conservative treatment Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 41 81/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, H&H V CT scan Yes No <25 cc >10 mm Unknown No response to manitol infusion, conservative treatment Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 42 55/m WFNS 5, GCS 3, H&H V CT scan Yes No <25 cc >10 mm Unknown No response to manitol infusion, conservative treatment Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Inamasu et al. [17]/2002 43 49/m WFNS 5, GCS 3, H&H V CT scan Yes No <25 cc >10 mm Unknown No response to manitol infusion, conservative treatment Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Gelabert-Gonzalez et al. [18]/2004 44 68/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, fixed pupils CT scan, DSA Yes No Lt Lt ICA-Pcom Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping (4 h) Mild right-sided hemiparesis, GOS 4, mRS 2
  
Gelabert-Gonzalez et al. [18]/2004 45 64/f WFNS 4, GCS 9, dilation of the right pupil CT scan, CTA Yes Rt Marked Lt ICA-Pcom Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping (28 h) Full recovery, neurologically intact, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Gelabert-Gonzalez et al. [18]/2004 46 41/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, right oculomotor paresis CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Lt Marked Lt ICA-Pcom Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping (5 h) Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Gelabert-Gonzalez et al. [18]/2004 47 59/f WFNS 5, GCS 6, bilaterally fixed pupils CT scan, DSA Yes No Rt Rt ICA 3 mm Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping (9 h) Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Krishnaney et al. [19]/2004 48 42/f WFNS 2, GCS 14 CT scan, MRI, MRA, DSA No No Bilateral Acom 10 mm Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation and clipping, (6 days) Uneventful recovery, no neurological deficits, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Kim et al. [20]/2005 49 72/f WFNS 2, GCS 14 CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Rt 6 mm 8 mm Lt distal ACA Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping (48 h) Dysphasia, right hemiparesis, GOS 3, mRS 4
  
Kim et al. [20]/2005 50 42/m WFNS 5, GCS 3, bilaterally fixed pupils CT scan, DSA Yes Lt 6.5 mm 10 mm Lt ICA-Pcom Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping (3 h) Mild left-sided arm paresis, GOS 4 mRS 3
  
Marinelli et al. [21]/2005 51 62/f WFNS 1, GCS 15, complete left third nerve palsy CT scan, MRI, MRA, DSA No No Lt Lt ICA-Pcom 10 mm Endovascular embolization Full recovery of left third nerve palsy, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Hori et al. [22]/2005 52 57/m WFNS 2, GCS 13-14, incomplete right oculomotor palsy CT scan, DSA No No Rt Moderate to marked Rt MCA 1.5 mm Hematoma evacuation and immediate clipping Full recovery, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Koerbel et al. [23]/2005 53 62/f WFNS 4, GCS 10-11, rapid neurological deterioration CT scan, DSA No No Lt Moderate to marked Lt ICA-Pcom 5 mm Hematoma evacuation followed by coiling Returned to normal lifestyle, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Westermaier et al. [4]/07 54 55/f WFNS 5, GCS 6, anisocoria right CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Rt Rt Acom EVD coiling and hematoma evacuation (24 h) No formal deficits, mobile for short distance, GOS 4, Barthel 70
  
Westermaier et al. [4]/07 55 56/f WFNS 5, GCS 3, MI, bilaterally fixed pupils, cardiopulmonary unstable CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Rt Rt MCA Large Repeated infusions of manitol, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping (24 h) Simple communication, left hemiparesis, permanent care, GOS 3, Barthel 20
  
Westermaier et al. [4]/07 56 55/f WFNS 5, GCS 3, dilation of the right pupil CT scan, DSA Yes No Rt Rt ICA-Pcom Immediate hematoma evacuation, EVD and delayed coiling (24 h) Mild left hemiparesis, GOS 4, Barthel 70
  
Westermaier et al. [4]/07 57 55/f WFNS 5, GCS < 6, anisocoria right CT scan, DSA Yes No Rt Rt Acom Immediate hematoma evacuation, EVD, and delayed coiling (24 h) Full recovery, return to work, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Westermaier et al. [4]/07 58 43/f WFNS 5, bilaterally fixed and dilated pupils CT scan Yes No Lt Lt ICA-Pcom Hematoma evacuation followed by coiling Rt hemiparesis using a wheelchair for longer distances, GOS 3, Barthel 70
  
Westermaier et al. [4]/07 59 54/f WFNS 5, GCS 3, dilation of the right pupil, cardiac instability CT scan, DSA Yes Rt Rt Acom EVD, delayed coiling (24 h), hematoma evacuation three weeks later (burr hole) Not able to walk, dependent on permanent care, GOS 3, Barthel 0
  
Westermaier et al. [4]/07 60 42/f WFNS 5, dilation of the right pupil CT scan, DSA Yes Rt Rt ICA-Pcom EVD, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping Returned to normal lifestyle, GOS 5, Barthel 100
  
Westermaier et al. [4]/07 61 55/f WFNS 5, bilaterally fixed pupils, cyanotic and hypoxic CT scan Yes Yes Rt 5 mm 4 mm Rt MCA 14 mm No therapy as a result of prolonged hypoxia before admission Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Gilad et al. [24]/2007 62 47/m WFNS 1, GCS 15, partial left sixth cranial nerve palsy CT scan, MRI, MRA, DSA No No Tentorium midline Intrasellar Acom 13 mm Coil embolization alone Uneventful, no neurological deficits, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Suhara et al. [25]/2008 63 27/f WFNS 4, GCS 8 CT scan, DSA No No Rt Lt Pcal (ACA) 7 mm Craniectomy, immediate hematoma evacuation, and delayed clipping (5 days) Uneventful recovery, no neurological deficits, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Nishikawa et al. [26]/2009 64 45/m WFNS 5, GCS 5, dilated slowly reacting pupils CT scan, MRI, MRA No Yes Bilateral Moderate to marked Lt ICA Emergency hematoma evacuation, and clipping Deceased (cerebral herniation 6 days after admission), GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Kocak et al. [27]/09 65 68/f WFNS 5, GCS 6 CT scan, DSA Yes No Rt ICA bifurcation Patient died during resuscitation Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Kocak et al. [27]/09 66 53/m WFNS 2, GCS 14 CT scan, DSA Yes No Lt Pcom Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Kocak et al. [27]/09 67 48/f WFNS 3, GCS 10 CT scan, DSA (after hematoma evacuation) Yes No Moderate to marked Rt Pcom Craniotomy and immediate hematoma evacuation, delayed clipping (6 days) Severe disability, GOS 3, mRS 5
  
Kocak et al. [27]/09 68 63/f WFNS 1, GCS 15 CT scan, DSA Yes No Lt MCA Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Kocak et al. [27]/09 69 51/f WFNS 2, GCS 14 CT scan, DSA Yes No Acom Craniotomy, SDH evacuation, clipping Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Kocak et al. [27]/09 70 72/f WFNS 4, GCS 8 CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Moderate to marked Rt MCA Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation (aSDH + ICH) and immediate clipping Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Kocak et al. [27]/09 71 56/f WFNS 4, GCS 7 CT scan, DSA Yes Yes Moderate to marked Rt MCA Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation (aSDH + ICH), and immediate clipping (6 h) Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  
Kocak et al. [27]/09 72 67/m WFNS 5, GCS 5 CT scan, DSA (after hematoma evacuation) Yes No Moderate to marked Rt Pcom Craniotomy and immediate hematoma evacuation, delayed clipping (8 days) Severe disability, GOS 3, mRS 5
  
Kocak et al. [27]/09 73 47/f WFNS 1, GCS 15 CT scan, CTA, DSA No No Acom Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Kocak et al. [27]/09 74 57/f WFNS 3, GCS 13 CT scan, CTA, DSA Yes No Lt Pcom Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping Good recovery, GOS 5, mRs 1
  
Kocak et al. [27]/09 75 46/f WFNS 4, GCS 12 CT scan, CTA, DSA Yes No Rt Pcom Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping Severe disability, GOS 3, mRS 5
  
Marbacher et al. [2]/10 76 44/f WFNS 5, GCS 3, bilaterally fixed pupils CT scan, DSA Yes No Rt 15 mm 10 mm Rt Pcal (ACA) 5 mm Craniectomy, hematoma evacuation (4 h), and delayed clipping Full recovery, mild cognitive deficits, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Marbacher et al. [2]/10 77 50/f WFNS 3, GCS 13, mild left-sided hemiparesis CT scan, CTA Yes Yes Rt 9 mm 23 mm Rt MCA 11 mm Craniectomy, hematoma evacuation (12 h), and delayed coiling Mild left-sided arm paresis, GOS 4, mRS 2
  
Marbacher et al. [2]/10 78 39/m WFNS 5, GCS 4, bilaterally fixed pupils CT scan, CTA Yes No Rt 10 mm 14 mm Rt ICA-Pcom 5 mm EVD, craniectomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping (18 h) Residual left-sided hemiparesis, GOS 4, mRS 2
  
Marbacher et al. [2]/10 79 58/f WFNS 5, GCS 5, dilation of the right pupil CT scan, CTA Yes Yes Rt 5 mm 4 mm Rt MCA 14 mm Craniectomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping (3 h) Full recovery, mild cognitive deficits, GOS 5, mRS 1
  
Marbacher et al. [2]/10 80 45/f WFNS 5, GCS 4, dilation of the right pupil CT scan, DSA Yes No Rt 20 mm 18 mm Rt ICA-Pcom 7 mm Craniectomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping (2 h) Gait ataxia, GOS 4, mRS 3
  
Marbacher et al. [2]/10 81 68/f WFNS 1, GCS 15, right oculomotor paresis CT scan, CTA Yes No Rt 10 mm 6 mm Rt Distal ICA-Pcom 2 mm Craniotomy, hematoma evacuation, and immediate clipping (6 h) Full recovery, no symptoms at all, GOS 5, mRS 0
  
Marbacher et al. [2]/10 82 27/f WFNS 5, GCS 3, bilaterally fixed mydriasis, unstable cardiopulmonary condition CT scan, DSA Yes No Rt 10 mm 7 mm Rt Pcal (ACA) 12 mm Craniectomy, hematoma evacuation (1 h) Deceased, GOS 1, mRS 6
  • *Summary (characteristics) of 82 cases from 20 clinical case series or case reports of aneurysmal acute subdural hematomas. Abbreviations: SAH = subarachnoid hemorrhage; ICH = intracerebral hemorrhage; aSDH = acute subdural hematoma; MLS = midline shift; mm = millimeter; f = female; m = male; WFNS = World Federation of Neurological Surgeons; GCS = Glasgow Coma Scale; CT = computed tomography; Rt = right; Lt = left; mRS = modified Rankin Score; GOS = Glasgow Outcome Scale; FU = followup; NOS = not otherwise specified; Barthel = Barthel Index; DSA = digital subtraction angiography; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; MRA = magnetic resonance angiography; MCA = middle cerebral artery; CTA = CT angiography; ICA = internal carotid artery; Pcom = posterior communicating artery; Acom = anterior communicating artery; ACA = anterior cerebral artery; Pcal = pericallosal artery; EVD = external ventricular drainage; MI = myocardial infarction.
Details are in the caption following the image
Data analysis of 82 cases of aneurysmal aSDH*. *Abbreviations: WFNS = World Federation of Neurological Surgeons; CT = computed tomography; DSA = digital subtraction angiography; CTA = CT angiography; MRA = Magnetic resonance angiography; mm = millimeter; Pcom = posterior communicating artery; MCA = middle cerebral artery; Acom = anterior communicating artery; Pcal = pericallosal artery; ICA = internal carotid artery; GOS = Glasgow Outcome Scale.
Details are in the caption following the image
Data analysis of 82 cases of aneurysmal aSDH*. *Abbreviations: WFNS = World Federation of Neurological Surgeons; CT = computed tomography; DSA = digital subtraction angiography; CTA = CT angiography; MRA = Magnetic resonance angiography; mm = millimeter; Pcom = posterior communicating artery; MCA = middle cerebral artery; Acom = anterior communicating artery; Pcal = pericallosal artery; ICA = internal carotid artery; GOS = Glasgow Outcome Scale.
Details are in the caption following the image
Data analysis of 82 cases of aneurysmal aSDH*. *Abbreviations: WFNS = World Federation of Neurological Surgeons; CT = computed tomography; DSA = digital subtraction angiography; CTA = CT angiography; MRA = Magnetic resonance angiography; mm = millimeter; Pcom = posterior communicating artery; MCA = middle cerebral artery; Acom = anterior communicating artery; Pcal = pericallosal artery; ICA = internal carotid artery; GOS = Glasgow Outcome Scale.
Details are in the caption following the image
Data analysis of 82 cases of aneurysmal aSDH*. *Abbreviations: WFNS = World Federation of Neurological Surgeons; CT = computed tomography; DSA = digital subtraction angiography; CTA = CT angiography; MRA = Magnetic resonance angiography; mm = millimeter; Pcom = posterior communicating artery; MCA = middle cerebral artery; Acom = anterior communicating artery; Pcal = pericallosal artery; ICA = internal carotid artery; GOS = Glasgow Outcome Scale.
Details are in the caption following the image
Data analysis of 82 cases of aneurysmal aSDH*. *Abbreviations: WFNS = World Federation of Neurological Surgeons; CT = computed tomography; DSA = digital subtraction angiography; CTA = CT angiography; MRA = Magnetic resonance angiography; mm = millimeter; Pcom = posterior communicating artery; MCA = middle cerebral artery; Acom = anterior communicating artery; Pcal = pericallosal artery; ICA = internal carotid artery; GOS = Glasgow Outcome Scale.
Details are in the caption following the image
Data analysis of 82 cases of aneurysmal aSDH*. *Abbreviations: WFNS = World Federation of Neurological Surgeons; CT = computed tomography; DSA = digital subtraction angiography; CTA = CT angiography; MRA = Magnetic resonance angiography; mm = millimeter; Pcom = posterior communicating artery; MCA = middle cerebral artery; Acom = anterior communicating artery; Pcal = pericallosal artery; ICA = internal carotid artery; GOS = Glasgow Outcome Scale.
Details are in the caption following the image
Data analysis of 82 cases of aneurysmal aSDH*. *Abbreviations: WFNS = World Federation of Neurological Surgeons; CT = computed tomography; DSA = digital subtraction angiography; CTA = CT angiography; MRA = Magnetic resonance angiography; mm = millimeter; Pcom = posterior communicating artery; MCA = middle cerebral artery; Acom = anterior communicating artery; Pcal = pericallosal artery; ICA = internal carotid artery; GOS = Glasgow Outcome Scale.
Details are in the caption following the image
Data analysis of 82 cases of aneurysmal aSDH*. *Abbreviations: WFNS = World Federation of Neurological Surgeons; CT = computed tomography; DSA = digital subtraction angiography; CTA = CT angiography; MRA = Magnetic resonance angiography; mm = millimeter; Pcom = posterior communicating artery; MCA = middle cerebral artery; Acom = anterior communicating artery; Pcal = pericallosal artery; ICA = internal carotid artery; GOS = Glasgow Outcome Scale.

3.1. Initial Clinical Findings

Most of the patients were admitted with the worst initial clinical SAH grades and with signs of uncal herniation. The distribution according to the WFNS was grade 5 (n = 46, 57.3%), grade 4 (n = 14, 17.1%), grade 3 (n = 6, 7.3%), grade 2 (n = 8, 9.8%), and grade 1 (n = 8, 9.8%). At admission, signs of uncal herniation, major focal neurological deficits, and minor focal neurological deficits were present in 35 (42.7%), eight (9.8%), and six (7.3%) patients, respectively. Fourteen (17.1%) patients presented in an unstable cardiopulmonary condition (e.g., ventricular arrhythmia, acute heart failure, and sudden pulmonary edema) at the time of admission. Four (4.9%) patients died during resuscitation. One (1.2%) patient was reported to have had prolonged hypoxia.

3.2. Diagnostic Approaches and Radiological Findings

For all patients, the first radiological assessment was a CT scan (n = 82, 100%). 68 (82.9%) patients underwent additional DSA, and 11 (13.4%) underwent additional CTA (Figure 2). Four (4.9%) patients underwent MRA prior to surgery. SAH was detected on initial CT scan in 68 (82.9%) patients. There were 13 (15.9%) cases of pure aSDH without associated SAH. 28 (34.1%) patients presented with additional ICH. In 24 (29.3%) patients, the size of the aSDH was reported (mean ± SD: 9.6   ±   3.5, range: 5–20 mm). A total of 30 (36.6%) patients were reported as presenting with midline shift associated with aSDH (mean ± SD: 9.1 ± 4.0, range: 4–23 mm). All but six cases (7.3%) of aSDH were documented ipsilateral to the side of the aneurysm. Two cases presented with bilateral aSDH. Aneurysm size was reported in 37 (45.1%) patients (mean ± SD: 11.4 ± 8.1, range: 1.5–30 mm).

Details are in the caption following the image
Illustrative case: Panels (a–d) display axial CT scans with 3D reconstructions showing a right acute subdural hematoma with midline shift after rupture of a giant aneurysm located in the right middle cerebral artery. Panels (a) and (b): noncontrast-enhanced and contrast-enhanced axial CT scan, demonstrating a large aneurysm in the right silvian fissure with surrounding SAH, right-sided aSDH, and uncal herniation. Panel (c) shows a marked midline shift due to the mass effect of the aSDH. Panel (d) depicts the aneurysm with outgoing vessels.
Details are in the caption following the image
Illustrative case: Panels (a–d) display axial CT scans with 3D reconstructions showing a right acute subdural hematoma with midline shift after rupture of a giant aneurysm located in the right middle cerebral artery. Panels (a) and (b): noncontrast-enhanced and contrast-enhanced axial CT scan, demonstrating a large aneurysm in the right silvian fissure with surrounding SAH, right-sided aSDH, and uncal herniation. Panel (c) shows a marked midline shift due to the mass effect of the aSDH. Panel (d) depicts the aneurysm with outgoing vessels.
Details are in the caption following the image
Illustrative case: Panels (a–d) display axial CT scans with 3D reconstructions showing a right acute subdural hematoma with midline shift after rupture of a giant aneurysm located in the right middle cerebral artery. Panels (a) and (b): noncontrast-enhanced and contrast-enhanced axial CT scan, demonstrating a large aneurysm in the right silvian fissure with surrounding SAH, right-sided aSDH, and uncal herniation. Panel (c) shows a marked midline shift due to the mass effect of the aSDH. Panel (d) depicts the aneurysm with outgoing vessels.
Details are in the caption following the image
Illustrative case: Panels (a–d) display axial CT scans with 3D reconstructions showing a right acute subdural hematoma with midline shift after rupture of a giant aneurysm located in the right middle cerebral artery. Panels (a) and (b): noncontrast-enhanced and contrast-enhanced axial CT scan, demonstrating a large aneurysm in the right silvian fissure with surrounding SAH, right-sided aSDH, and uncal herniation. Panel (c) shows a marked midline shift due to the mass effect of the aSDH. Panel (d) depicts the aneurysm with outgoing vessels.

3.3. Aneurysm Localization

In most of the cases, the aneurysm was located in the posterior communicating artery (Pcom) (n = 39, 46.6%). The rest of the aneurysms were located in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) (n = 20, 23.2%), the anterior communicating artery (Acom) (n = 11, 13.4%), the pericallosal artery (Pcal) (n = 8, 9.8%), or the internal carotid artery ICA (n = 4, 4.9%).

3.4. Treatment Strategies

The treatment strategies included urgent hematoma evacuation (n = 59, 72%), surgical aneurysm obliteration in the same procedure as urgent hematoma evacuation (n = 41, 50%), delayed clipping (n = 10, 12.2%), and delayed coiling (n = 6, 7.3%). Eighteen patients (22%) died during resuscitation or did not meet the criteria for undergoing any of the invasive procedures due to cardiopulmonary instability. A total of six (7.3%) patients underwent external ventricular drainage, and ten (12.2%) patients were treated with hyperosmolar therapy.

3.5. Outcome

Half of the patients were reported to have favorable outcomes (GOS 5 and GOS 4, n = 39, 47.6%). Poor outcome (GOS 3 and GOS 2) was reported in nine (11%) patients. 32 patients (26.6%) had fatal outcomes (GOS 1). Overall distribution according to the GOS was GOS 5 (n = 31, 37.8%), GOS 4 (n = 8, 9.8%), GOS 3 (n = 8, 9.8%), GOS 2 (n = 1, 1.2%), and GOS 1 (n = 32, 39%). In 19 (23.2%) out of 32 patients with fatal outcome (GOS 1), the critical status at admission did not allow any surgical or endovascular intervention. Four (4.9%) patients died during resuscitation, two (2.4%) patients died immediately after diagnosis, and one (1.2%) patient received no further therapy as a result of prolonged hypoxia before admission. Most of the 63 patients who met the criteria for invasive treatment achieved good outcomes (GOS 5 and GOS 4, n = 39, 69.9%). The distribution of these patients by treatment outcome according to the GOS was GOS 5 (n = 31, 49.2%), GOS 4 (n = 8, 12.7%), GOS 3 (n = 8, 12.7%), GOS 2 (n = 1, 1.6%), and GOS 1 (n = 13, 20.6%). Patients who suffered aneurysmal aSDH without SAH demonstrated better outcomes (GOS 5, n = 9, 69.2%; GOS 1, n = 5, 38.5%) than patients who presented with aneurysmal aSDH and SAH (GOS 5, n = 22, 31.4%; GOS 4, n = 8, 11.4%; GOS 3, n = 8, 11.4%; GOS 2, n = 1, 1.4%; GOS 1, n = 27, 38.6%).

3.6. Outcome Stratified by Therapeutic Strategies (Table 3)

Table 3. Outcome stratified according to therapeutic strategies*.
Patients presenting with rapidly deteriorating neurological condition Patients presenting without rapidly deteriorating neurological condition
Urgent intervention (<24 h) Delayed intervention (>24 h) Urgent intervention (<24 h) Delayed intervention (>24 h)
Outcome n (%) Outcome n (%) Outcome n (%) Outcome n (%)
GOS 5 + 4 23 (64%) GOS 5 + 4 6 (25%) GOS 5 + 4 10 (100%) GOS 5 + 4 5 (100%)
GOS 3 + 2 5 (14%) GOS 3 + 2 2 (8%) GOS 3 + 2 0 (0%) GOS 3 + 2 0 (0%)
GOS 1 8 (22%) GOS 1 16 (67%) GOS 1 0 (0%) GOS 1 0 (0%)
  • *Abbreviations: GOS = Glasgow Outcome Scale.

All patients presenting in good clinical condition without rapid neurological deterioration (n = 15) demonstrated good outcomes (GOS 5 and GOS 4). These outcomes were favorable irrespective of whether hematoma evacuation and aneurysm obliteration were immediate (n = 10) or delayed (n = 5). However, patients with rapidly deteriorating levels of consciousness (including signs of brain herniation) and urgent (<24 h) intervention had a higher likelihood of good outcomes (GOS 5 and GOS 4) than patients with rapid deterioration who had undergone delayed (24 h) treatment (64% versus 25%).

4. Discussion

This meta-analysis of 82 reported cases presenting with aneurysmal aSDH and rapid neurological deterioration revealed that urgent surgical decompression and immediate occlusion of the aneurysm seem to be an acceptable treatment strategy in order to achieve better outcome (GOS 5 and GOS 4 = 64%). Good outcomes are found in patients maintaining stable neurological condition irrespective of whether intervention was immediate or delayed (GOS 5 = 100%). Patients with pure aSDH due to a ruptured aneurysm demonstrated better outcomes than patients who suffered aneurysmal aSDH associated with SAH. Patients in unstable cardiopulmonary condition, with unstable blood pressure and serious ventricular arrhythmias, have the highest risk of unfavorable outcomes. All patients who did not meet the criteria for invasive treatment had fatal outcomes.

Poor clinical presentation per se is not associated with worse outcome. However, the combination of marginal cardiac output and reduced cerebral perfusion and cerebral blood flow due to the mass effect [31] during the acute phase of SAH [32] is likely to result in poor final outcome. Patients presenting in such condition do not meet the criteria for urgent hematoma evacuation, which additionally worsens the likelihood of favorable outcome (GOS 5 and GOS 4 = 25%). Patients in stable hemodynamic condition are suitable for rapid surgical decompression and maximal medical treatment and have a higher chance of recovering in good neurological condition (GOS 5 and GOS 4 = 64%) despite severe SAH and poor initial GCS admission scores. Two-thirds of all patients with either poor grade SAH or traumatic aSDH usually do not survive, and functional outcome is rare [3335]. The good recovery of patients with aneurysmal aSDH might be explained by the space-occupying effect of the hematoma, which mimics a worse clinical situation and does not reflect vital brain destruction.

Pure aSDH due to ruptured intracranial aneurysm is extremely rare. Only 20 cases have been reported so far, including 14 cases during the last two decades [16]. In most cases of aneurysmal aSDH, the history will distinguish a traumatic from a spontaneous cause [1]. However, the absence of hematomas and subarachnoid blood collections related to common aneurysm sites can impede the diagnosis. The finding that pure aneurysmal aSDH results in better outcome than aSDH with SAH may be explained by the fact that these patients less frequently have complications (delayed cerebral vasospasm and hydrocephalus).

Due to the rarity of the disease, no guidelines have been established. In most reports, patients have bad clinical features on admission, often presenting in a comatose state with pupillary abnormalities. Fast decision making is mandatory. Determining a differential diagnosis, as well as treatment modalities, can be complicated by the rapid clinical course and the mixture of symptoms due to the ruptured aneurysm or mass effect of the hematoma.

To address the lack of guidelines, we developed a flowchart for treatment of patients with aSDH. However, the evidence for the proposed treatment flowchart comes from case series and case reports with relatively small sample sizes. Therefore, the estimation of effects is imprecise, and clinical recommendations included in the management protocol are weak [36, 37].

In patients who are in good neurological condition at the time of admission, management may proceed in a standard manner (Figure 3, left side of the flowchart). After initial CT and CTA examination, DSA is the diagnostic modality of choice to verify the angioarchitecture of the aneurysm. If the aneurysm is suitable for endovascular obliteration and the aSDH remains clinically insignificant, the aneurysm can be occluded during the same procedure [4]. If a decision is made to occlude the aneurysm surgically, DSA provides relevant anatomical information and guidance in determining a clipping strategy and surgical approach.

Details are in the caption following the image
Illustrative schematic diagram of the protocol (management algorithm) for diagnosis and treatment of aneurysmal acute subdural hematoma. CT = computed tomography. CTA = CT angiography. DSA = digital subtraction angiography. * = if available.

For the management of patients who are in a coma or whose level of consciousness is deteriorating rapidly, the choice of initial diagnostics is more demanding, and management decisions become difficult (Figure 3, right side of the flowchart). The aSDH may be the major determinant of neurological grade, and prompt hematoma evacuation may be life saving. At the minimum, neuroradiological investigations should consist of an emergency CT and CTA to visualize potential bleeding sources. Emergency treatment modalities such as maximal sedation, osmotherapy, and external ventricular drainage to reverse signs of brain herniation should be performed as quickly as possible. In these cases, the emergency situation forces the neurosurgeon to postpone DSA.

Intraoperative DSA would allow safe and complete aneurysm occlusion to be carried out at the same time as urgent hematoma evacuation [38, 39]. Patients would be spared a second procedure. However, Westermaier et al. [4] recently presented four patients who underwent separate delayed endovascular coiling after decompression and hematoma evacuation. Despite good neurological recovery in three of these four patients, subjecting patients to two separate procedures rather than clipping at the same time as hematoma removal remains controversial. Patients who present in unstable cardiopulmonary conditions cannot be operated on immediately. It seems that this subgroup of patients is exceptionally at risk of poor outcome. Withholding aggressive therapy in poor-grade patients in order to prevent vegetative survival is highly controversial and cannot be recommended.

5. Conclusion

Due to the rarity of aneurysmal aSDH, it remains difficult to define a comprehensive management protocol. In patients with poor neurological grade at admission and rapidly deteriorating levels of consciousness, urgent surgical decompression and immediate aneurysm obliteration result in favorable outcome (GOS 5 and GOS 4; 64%). Delay of immediate treatment in patients with rapidly deteriorating neurological conditions decreases the likelihood of a favorable outcome (GOS 5 and GOS 4; 25%). Good outcomes are observed in patients maintaining stable neurological condition irrespective of whether the intervention was immediate or delayed (GOS 5; 100%). Overall outcome of patients who suffered aneurysmal aSDH without SAH proved to be better (GOS 5, 69.2%) than the outcome of patients who presented with aneurysmal aSDH and SAH (GOS 5; 31.4%).

Conflict of Interests

The authors are solely responsible for the design and conduct of the presented study and report no conflict of interests. No funds were or will be received for this study.

    The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.