Acute Subdural Hematoma Due to Near-Drowning —Case Report

• Published in: Neurologia medico-chirurgica Vol. 39; no. 11; pp. 752 - 755
• Main Authors: MIZUSHIMA, Hidekatsu, HANAKAWA, Kazuo, KOBAYASHI, Nobusuke, SAWABE, Yoshiharu, FURUYA, Hajime, MATSUMOTO, Kiyoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Japan Neurosurgical Society 1999
• Subjects: acute spontaneous subdural hematoma; Cerebral Veins - abnormalities; Cerebral Veins - diagnostic imaging; Craniotomy; drowning; Glasgow Coma Scale; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute - diagnostic imaging; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute - etiology; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute - pathology; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute - surgery; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Near Drowning - complications; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0470-8105; 1349-8029
• DOI: 10.2176/nmc.39.752

A 46-year-old male was transferred to our hospital after near-drowning when swimming. Examination found no subcutaneous hematoma or abrasion on his head. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started immediately. Emergent computed tomography (CT) revealed no abnormalities. The next day, his consciousness level improved and repeat CT suggested an acute spontaneous subdural hematoma in the parieto-occipital region. The acute subdural hematoma was evacuated. The source of bleeding was probably an abnormally large vein located in the center of the hematoma. The patient was discharged without neurological deficit. Repeat CT is needed even if there were no abnormality on initial CT after drowning.