Keywords
head injury - extradural hematoma - conservative management - surgical evacuation
- progression
Introduction
Extradural hematoma (EDH), the most serious preventable complication of head injury,
is encountered in ∼2.7 to 4% of head injury patients.[1]
[2] Patients with acute EDH greatly vary in their mechanisms of trauma and clinical
presentations.[3]
EDH may attain maximum size within minutes of injury; however, it may gradually progress
over the first 24 hours after injury. Rebleeding or continuous oozing is the main
cause of progression. Different sources of bleeding in EDH include laceration of the
middle meningeal artery, venous oozing, or laceration of dural venous sinus.[4]
Treatment of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic EDH is a matter of debate among neurosurgeons.
With the considerable safety of EDH surgery, many neurosurgeons prefer to go for surgical
evacuation in doubtful cases to avoid the risk of significant brain compression and
secondary ischemic damage.[5]
Although surgical evacuation is considered the definitive treatment for acute EDH,
several recent reports have described successful conservative management. Several
reports of conservatively managed EDH suggested that some of these lesions may resolve
spontaneously without squeal. Conservative management requires careful patient selection
together with close clinical observation and serial follow-up computed tomography
(CT) scans.[6]
[7]
Various clinical and radiographic factors have been found to affect the management
strategy for EDH. So, in our study, the main objective was to identify the significant
predictors for possible regression versus progression of acute posttraumatic EDH (EDHR
and EDHP) initially planned for nonsurgical treatment.
Materials and Methods
Study Design and Patients
Our study is a retrospective comparative study conducted from October 2020 to October
2022. We revised the data of all patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who were
admitted to our hospital during this period; a total of 195 patients diagnosed with
acute posttraumatic EDH were collected; 76 patients required urgent surgical evacuation
and were immediately shifted to the operating room, while 119 patients were initially
treated conservatively and were put under close observation.
The criteria for initial nonsurgical management for EDH were consistent with the literature[2]
[6]
[7] and included; EDH volume ≤ 30 cm3, midline shift (MLS) ≤ 5 mm, maximum hematoma thickness ≤ 10 mm, and no associated
neurological deficit. Patients, who were initially treated conservatively and fulfilled
our inclusion criteria, were divided into two groups: (EDHR group) patients in whom
the EDH started to regress spontaneously and (EDHP group) patients who developed EDHP
and subsequent surgical evacuation.
Ethical Approval
This study was approved by the local ethical scientific committee of our institution
(Institutional Review Board approval number: 3-2023.NEUS 1–5). Being a retrospective
study, patients' consents for participation in the study and for publication were
not applicable.
Sample Size Estimation
A previous study showed that the odds ratio of the coagulopathy in predicting conversion
to surgery in patients with EDH was 6.122. So, the sample size to study the results
of the current study with a significant p < 0.05 and power of study of 80% is calculated according to the OpenEpi[8] calculator. So, at least, 106 patients should be recruited to the study.
Inclusion Criteria
In this study, we included posttraumatic patients of either sex with no age restriction
who had acute EDH diagnosed on CT of the brain and were initially planned for conservative
treatment.
Exclusion Criteria
We excluded patients with (1) associated other intracranial pathology that required
surgical intervention, (2) incomplete data or did not continue for follow-up, (3)
postoperative or recurrent EDH, (4) bilateral EDH in CT scan, and (5) history of significant
premorbid psychiatric or neurological history or drug abuse.
Data Collection
Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were collected from patients' medical
records of our hospital including data on and during the period of admission then
data during the first 3 months after discharge.
All patients were submitted to full medical history, general examination, and full
neurological assessment. Evaluation of age; sex; mechanism of trauma including fall
from height (FFH), road traffic accident, or assault; clinical presentations (loss
of consciousness [LOC], headache, nausea/vomiting, or posttraumatic amnesia); GCS
on and during admission; severity of head injury including mild (GCS 13–15), moderate
(GCS 9–12), or severe (GCS 3–8); time interval from trauma to the initial CT scan;
and presence of coagulopathy.
All patients were submitted for CT scan on admission to detect the side, location,
volume, and maximum thickness of the EDH; measure the degree of MLS; and detect associated
fracture or other intracranial injuries. EDH volume was calculated in three dimensions.
The width was measured as the transverse diameter, the length as the anteroposterior
diameter, and the depth as the superoinferior diameter. Approximated volume was computed
by multiplying the three dimensions using the equation: volume = ABC/2.[9]
Management
First, resuscitation efforts were performed including ABC (assessment and stabilization
of Airway patency, Breathing, and Circulation). A thorough trauma evaluation was done
and severity of TBI was assessed using GCS. During admission, close observation and
repeated neurological examinations were done. CT of the brain was done upon presentation
then routinely repeated after 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. However, CT was immediately
performed whenever neurological deterioration occurred.
Dehydrating measures, cerebroprotective agents, and anticonvulsive drugs were given
in certain cases that had concomitant brain injury, edema, convulsion, or threatening
to coma.
While under observation, urgent craniotomy and EDH evacuation were performed if the
patient developed signs of localized brain compression or herniation that was confirmed
by progression of EDH in CT scan.
Outcome Measures
Outcome measures were: (1) percentage of patients treated conservatively and showed
spontaneous regression of their EDH; (2) percentage of patients initially treated
conservatively then developed progression of their EDH and subsequent surgical evacuation;
(3) timing for complete spontaneous EDH resolution; (4) timing for EDHP and delayed
surgical evacuation; (5) the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) score[10] is shown in [Table 1]. GOSE score was measured at discharge from our department, whether the discharge
destination was home or another medical facility. Patients who had moderate disability
or good recovery (GOSE score from 5 to 8) were included together in the good outcome
group. Patients who were severely disabled, vegetative, or died (GOSE score from 1
to 4) were included together in the poor outcome group.
Table 1
The Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale score[10]
Category number
|
Name
|
Definition
|
8
|
Good recovery: Upper
|
No current problems related to the brain injury that affect daily life
|
7
|
Good recovery: Lower
|
Minor problems that affect daily life; resumes > 50% of the preinjury level of social
and leisure activities
|
6
|
Moderate disability: Upper
|
Reduced work capacity; resumes < 50% of the preinjury level of social and leisure
activities
|
5
|
Moderate disability: Lower
|
Unable to work or only in sheltered workshop
|
4
|
Severe disability: Upper
|
Can be left alone > 8 h during the day, but unable to travel and/or go shopping without
assistance
|
3
|
Severe disability: Lower
|
Requires frequent help of someone to be around at home most of the time every day
|
2
|
Persistent vegetative state
|
Unresponsive and speechless
|
1
|
Death
|
|
Statistical Analysis
To tabulate and statistically analyze the results, SPSS V.22 (IBM Corporation, Armonk,
New York, United States), and Microsoft Excel 2010 (Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft
Way Redmond, Washington, United States) were used. The descriptive statistics included
mean (x), median, and standard deviation. The count data were expressed as the rate
and analyzed using the chi-square test. Standard Student's t-test (t), for independent samples was used for comparing the means between the two groups
in various factors of the study. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
A total of 119 head trauma patients were diagnosed with acute EDH and were initially
planned for conservative treatment; 13 patients were excluded (4 patients had incomplete
data, 1 patient had bilateral EDH, and 8 patients did not complete for follow-up).
So, in our study, we included 106 patients; 74 patients (69.8%) showed spontaneous
regression of their EDH, while 32 patients (30.2%) developed EDHP and were shifted
for surgical evacuation.
Demographic and Clinical Data of the Entire Sample
The mean age in the entire sample was 20.37 ± 12.712 years, ranging from 2 to 53 years,
the distribution of age between the two groups is demonstrated in [Fig. 1]. The majority of cases were male (65.1%). GCS on admission ranged from 5 to 15 with
the mean GCS of 12.83 ± 2.113. The majority of cases (67.9%) had a mild TBI (GCS 13–15).
FFH was the most frequent mechanism of injury (48.1%). The most frequent clinical
presentations included headache (56.6%) followed by LOC (48.1%). Coagulation abnormalities
“high international normalized ratio” (INR) was identified in (6.6%). [Table 2] gives the detailed demographic and clinical data in each group and their association
with either regression or progression of EDH.
Fig. 1 Age distribution in the whole sample. EDHP, extradural hematoma progression; EDHR,
extradural hematoma regression.
Table 2
Comparison of demographic and clinical data of patients in the two groups
Parameters
|
EDHR group
(N = 74)
|
EDHP group
(N = 32)
|
Test and significance
|
Age, y (mean ± SD)
|
22.59 ± 12.914
|
15.22 ± 10.746
|
t = 2.833, p = 0.006[*]
|
Gender (male/female)
|
47/27
|
22/10
|
Chi-square = 0.270, p = 0.604
|
GCS on admission (mean ± SD)
|
13.31 ± 1.72
|
11.72 ± 2.51
|
t = 3.263, p = 0.002[*]
|
Mechanisms of injury
|
FFH
|
47.3%
|
50%
|
Chi-square = 0.515, p = 0.773
|
RTA
|
37.8%
|
31.3%
|
Assault
|
14.9%
|
18.7%
|
Clinical symptoms
|
Headache
|
55.4%
|
59.4%
|
Chi-square = 0.143, p = 0.705
|
LOC
|
48.6%
|
46.9%
|
Chi-square = 0.028, p = 0.867
|
Amnesia
|
33.8%
|
43.8%
|
Chi-square = 0.954, p = 0.329
|
Nausea/vomiting
|
27%
|
46.9%
|
Chi-square = 3.979, p = 0.046[*]
|
Coagulation abnormality
|
Normal INR
|
98.6%
|
81.2%
|
Chi-square = 10.964, p = 0.001[*]
|
High INR
|
1.4%
|
18.8%
|
Abbreviations: EDHP, extradural hematoma progression; EDHR, extradural hematoma regression;
FFH, fall from height; GCS, Glasgow coma scale; INR, international normalized ratio;
LOC, loss of consciousness; RTA, road traffic accident; SD, standard deviation.
* Statistically significant.
Radiographic Data of the Entire Sample
The mean time interval between trauma and initial CT was 10.33 ± 7.815 hours. CT showed
right-sided EDH in 56.6% of cases. The most common locations for EDH were frontal,
parietal, and temporal (34.9, 31.1, and 21.7%, respectively). EDH volume was ≤ 30 cm3 in all cases and the mean EDH volume was 17.61 ± 5.182 cm3. The mean MLS was 1.94 ± 1.678 mm. Associated fissure fracture was found in 39.6%
of cases. [Table 3] demonstrates the comparison of the radiographic data between the two groups and
their association with either regression or progression of EDH.
Table 3
Comparison of the radiographic data of patients in the two groups
Parameters
|
EDHR group
(N = 74)
|
EDHP group
(N = 32)
|
Test and significance
|
Time from trauma to CT (mean ± SD)
|
11.31 ± 8.485
|
8.06 ± 5.453
|
t = 2.355, p = 0.021[*]
|
Side of EDH (right/left)
|
41/33
|
19/13
|
Chi-square = 0.143, p = 0.705
|
Location of EDH
|
F (34.9% of total)
|
41.9%
|
18.8%
|
Chi-square = 5.265, p = 0.022[*]
|
P (31.1% of total)
|
35.1%
|
21.9%
|
Chi-square = 1.832, p = 0.176
|
T (21.7% of total)
|
10.8%
|
46.9%
|
Chi-square = 17.101, p < 0.001[*]
|
O (8.5% of total)
|
8.1%
|
9.3%
|
Chi-square = 0.046, p = 0.830
|
PF (3.8% of total)
|
4.1%
|
3.1%
|
Chi-square = 0.53, p = 0.818
|
EDH volume (mean ± SD) cm3
|
17.82 ± 4.906
|
17.13 ± 5.824
|
t = 0.636, p = 0.526
|
Maximum EDH thickness (mean ± SD)
|
5.23 ± 1.997
|
4.72 ± 1.922
|
t = 1.223, p = 0.224
|
MLS (mean ± SD)
|
2.08 ± 1.678
|
1.63 ± 1.661
|
t = 1.289, p = 0.200
|
Associated fissure fracture
|
47.3%
|
21.9%
|
Chi-square = 6.035, p = 0.014[*]
|
Abbreviations: CT, computed tomography; EDH, extradural hematoma; EDHP, extradural
hematoma progression; EDHR, extradural hematoma regression; F, frontal; MLS, midline
shift; O, occipital; P, parietal; PF, posterior fossa; SD, standard deviation; T,
temporal.
* Statistically significant.
EDHR versus EDHP
Patients of the EDHR group showed a degree of resolution of their EDH after 2 weeks
(in the routine follow-up CT of the brain). Complete EDH resolution ranged from 30
to 90 days with the mean time of 59.85 ± 13.363 days. [Fig. 2] illustrates CT scans of a patient from EDHR group.
Fig. 2 Spontaneous regression of a right frontal EDH. (A–D) Male patient 34 years old belongs to EDHR group, had history of fall from height,
GCS on admission was 15/15. (A) Initial CT of the brain 11 hours after trauma showing right frontal EDH; (B) follow-up CT after 24 hours with no increase in hematoma size; (C) follow-up CT after 2 weeks with start of EDH regression; (D) follow-up CT after 45 days showing complete resolution of the extradural hematoma.
CT, computed tomography; EDH, extradural hematoma; EDHR, extradural hematoma regression;
GCS, Glasgow coma scale.
EDHP was detected on routine follow-up CT, except for seven patients (21.9%) who developed
neurological deterioration and CT was repeated urgently. The mean EDH volume after
progression was 35.78 ± 5.405 cm3. The time interval from the initial CT to EDHP ranged from 6 to 30 hours with the
mean time of 14.53 ± 5.43 hours. [Figs. 3] and [4] illustrate CT scans of two patients from EDHP group.
Fig. 3 Progression of left parietal EDH. (A, B) Male patient 10 years old belongs to EDHP group, had history of RTA, GCS on admission
was 15/15, was complaining for vomiting. (A) Initial CT of the brain 2 hours after trauma showing left parietal small EDH; (B) follow-up CT after 12 hours, showing increase in hematoma size and the patient was
shifted for surgical evacuation. CT, computed tomography; EDH, extradural hematoma;
EDHP, extradural hematoma progression; GCS, Glasgow coma scale.
Fig. 4 (A, B) Male patient 9 years old belongs to EDHP group, had history of FFH, GCS on admission
was 14/15, had posttraumatic amnesia, headache, and repeated vomiting. (A) Initial CT of the brain 1 hour after trauma showing right temporal small EDH; (B) follow-up CT after 6 hours, showing increase in hematoma size and the patient was
shifted for surgical evacuation. CT, computed tomography; EDH, extradural hematoma;
EDHR, extradural hematoma progression; GCS, Glasgow coma scale.
Recovery Outcome on Discharge
The majority of cases (92.5%) had good recovery outcome (GOSE = 5–8) at discharge,
while 8 cases (7.5%) had poor discharge outcome (GOSE = 1–4) including only one death
(in EDHP group). [Table 4] shows the distribution of the GOSE scores in the two groups.
Table 4
Distribution of GOSE scores among patients in the two groups
GOSE score
|
EDHR group
(N = 74)
|
EDHP group
(N = 32)
|
Total
(N = 106)
|
1
|
0
|
3.1%
|
0.9%
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
4.1%
|
3.1%
|
3.8%
|
4
|
2.7%
|
3.1%
|
2.7%
|
5
|
5.4%
|
6.2%
|
5.7%
|
6
|
8.1%
|
25.0%
|
13.2%
|
7
|
51.3%
|
43.8%
|
49.1%
|
8
|
28.4%
|
15.6%
|
24.5%
|
Total %
|
100%
|
100%
|
100%
|
Abbreviations: EDHP, extradural hematoma progression; EDHR, extradural hematoma regression;
GOSE, extended Glasgow outcome scale.
Discussion
Conventionally, the accepted management for EDH is urgent craniotomy and hematoma
evacuation.[3] However, with the routine use of CT in TBI, conservative management of EDH in selected
patients has been an accepted management strategy.[7]
[11]
[12]
In our study, only (30.2%) of patients developed EDHP that subsequently required surgical
evacuation, while the majority (69.8%) showed spontaneous EDHR and had a successful
conservative treatment. We analyzed the different demographic, clinical, and radiographic
factors to identify their significant correlation with spontaneous regression versus
progression of the EDH.
Patient's age ranged from 2 to 53 years, the active age of life where people are more
susceptible to trauma. Also, acute EDH is less frequent among elderly people because
of strong adhesion between calvarial bone and dura.[13] Similar result was documented by Zwayed and Lucke-Wold's[14] study, where patients' age was from 4 to 55 years.
In our study, younger age was a significant predictive factor for EDHP and conversion
to surgery (p = 0.006), where the patients ≤ 20 years old represented 71.9% in the EDHP group and
only 41.9% in the EDHR group. This comes in accordance with Basamh et al[6] who concluded in their study that patients of EDHP group who had surgery were significantly
younger than the other group (p < 0.0001).
In both groups, males were more commonly affected than females and the most common
mechanism of trauma was FFH. Male predominance may be due to the fact that males are
more involved in outdoor activities. These results come in accordance with most of
other studies conducted on EDH.[6]
[13]
[14]
We did not find any significant association between patients' gender and mechanism
of trauma with either regression or progression of EDH (p > 0.05). The same results were documented in Basamh et al's[6] study, where the majority of cases (81.6%) were males and FFH was the most common
mechanism of injury; however, both factors were not associated with EDHP.
In EDHR group, 81.1% had mild head trauma (GCS 13–15) in comparison to 37.5% in EDHP
group. And so, higher GCS on admission was significantly associated with spontaneous
EDHR (p = 0.002). Zwayed and Lucke-Wold[14] concluded that patients with GCS of 13 or more can be treated nonoperatively, and
this is in agreement with our results. Also, Zakaria et al[15] concluded that EDH can be managed nonoperatively provided that the GCS remains the
same with symptomatic improvement. On the other hand, there was no significant correlation
between GCS and EDHP in Basamh et al's[6] study.
In our study, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding
headache, posttraumatic amnesia, or LOC, and none of these presentations was significantly
correlated with either regression or progression of EDH (p > 0.05). Persistent nausea/vomiting was the only clinical symptom with significant
difference in EDHP group (p = 0.046). This may be attributed to increased intracranial pressure secondary to
EDHP causing irritation and/or compression of the vomiting center. Other studies did
not find significant correlation between any clinical presentation and either EDHR
or EDHP.
Coagulation abnormality (high INR) was a significant factor for EDHP and conversion
to surgery (p = 0.001). Similar results were documented in Basamh et al's[6] study where coagulopathy was a significant factor for conversion to surgery (p = 0.009). Also, Ding et al[16] found a significant correlation between higher INR with EDHP. However, other studies
reported no association between coagulopathy and EDHP.[17]
[18]
[19]
In our study, a short time interval between onset of trauma and initial CT significantly
correlated with EDHP (p = 0.021). Knuckey et al[20] in a small retrospective study reported 7 of 22 patients developed EDHP; initial
CT was done < 6 hours from onset of trauma. Ding J. et al[16] in their study also found that, to a lesser extent, shorter time lapse between trauma
onset and initial CT was a significant factor in EDHP.
There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding
the hematoma side, volume, maximum thickness, or the degree of MLS (p > 0.05).
Our results are similar with Basamh et al's[6] results, where none of the hematoma side, volume, or the degree of MLS was a predictor
of progression. Also, Moussa et al[21] concluded that EDH can be treated conservatively depending on the neurological state
of the patient rather than the size of the hematoma.
In our study, 100% of cases had EDH volume ≤ 30 cm3 which is consistent with most of previous studies .[2]
[6]
[7]
[22] Bullock et al[23] found the volume of 12 to 38 mL suitable for conservative management. In Moussa
et al[21] study, the maximum volume of the hematoma was 15 ml.
Location of EDH was an important predictive factor in both groups. Regression of EDH
was more common in patients with frontal hematomas (p = 0.022) while EDHP and conversion to surgery was more evident in patients with temporal
hematomas (p < 0.001).
Zwayed and Lucke-Wold[14] study of 62 EDH cases treated conservatively showed that the most common locations
were the frontal region in 24 cases and parietal region in 17 cases.
Subodh and Hamza[24] concluded that EDH in locations other than temporal area can be one of the criteria
for conservative management.
A prospective series by Bezircioğlu et al[25] on 80 EDH patients treated conservatively concluded that in the 5 patients (6.25%)
who developed EDHP, the only significant association was temporal location. Also,
Basamh et al's[6] study showed that 48.0% of EDHP cases were in the temporal region.
In the majority of cases, EDH was the sole finding in the CT scan. The presence of
skull fissure fracture was significantly associated with EDHR (p = 0.014). These results match the results of Tuncer et al[26] who concluded that in patients with skull fractures, clot resorption might be earlier
than in others who do not have a skull fracture, partly due to the transfer of the
clot into the epicranial space through the fracture. Also, Satyarthee et al[13] and Moussa et al[21] found a significant association between the success of conservative treatment and
the presence of fissure fracture. Knuckey et al[20] in a small retrospective study reported 7 of 22 patients developed EDHP; skull fractures
traversing major vascular structures were significant risk factors in EDHP.
EDHP may be a rehemorrhage event or continuous slow bleeding.[5]
[27] In our study, EDHP was detected in the first 24 hours in the majority of cases and
less frequently beyond that with the mean time interval from initial CT to EDHP was
14.53 ± 5.43 hours.
Most of other studies had similar results. Ding et al's[16] randomized controlled trial reported that 80% of patients (56 out of 70) complicated
with EDHP did so within 24 hours. Basamh et al's[6] study showed that EDHP occurred from 5 to 30 hours (mean 13.85 hours) after the
initial CT.
The majority of cases had good recovery outcome in both groups. EDHP was not associated
with either good or poor recovery outcome (p = 0.639). This can be attributed to close clinical observation together with serial
follow-up CT scans for all patients, and the immediate surgical intervention that
was done once EDHP was confirmed. Similar results were documented by Basamh et al[6] where the majority of the sample (87.2%) had a good recovery outcome and they concluded
that having progression of the EDH was not associated with better or worse outcome
(p = 0.5730).
Depending on the results of our study, we made a simple algorithm ([Fig. 5]) that demonstrates the criteria of initial nonsurgical treatment for traumatic EDH
and our recommendations to extend these criteria to include patients with high GCS
on admission, frontally located hematomas and/or concomitant fissure fracture. Also,
we recommended a follow-up time frame of 48 hours for all patients with more attention
and increased alertness for those with one or more of the predictors of EDHP.
Fig. 5 Our recommended algorithm for the criteria of nonsurgical treatment of posttraumatic
EDH and the high-risk criteria for EDH progression with subsequent surgical evacuation.
CT, computed tomography; EDH, extradural hematoma; GCS, Glasgow coma scale.
Limitations
Limitations of our study come from its retrospective nature. Another limitation is
that, in our study, some cases of EDH were associated with concomitant injuries on
admission. Although these concomitant injuries did not affect either the regression
or the progression of EDH, the recovery outcome could be influenced by the severity
of the initial injury and not only by the EDH.
Conclusion
Patients with traumatic EDH fitting the criteria of initial nonsurgical treatment
necessitates 48 hours of close observation and serial CT scans at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours
to confirm the regression or early detect the EDHP. Patients with high GCS, frontal
hematomas, and associated fissure fracture are at low risk for EDHP. Increased alertness
is mandatory for young age and patients with persistent nausea/vomiting, early CT
scan, temporal hematomas, or coagulopathy.