Middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematoma with cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia: A report of 2 cases

Abstract

Background: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) with cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia syndrome (CHS) remains refractory to standard treatment with hematoma drainage by burr hole and irrigation and/or epidural blood patch. Previously, we reported the utility of middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization for intractable CSDH. In this study, we present the usefulness of MMA embolization as a treatment for CSDHs with CHSs.

Cases: We present two cases of CSDHs with CHSs occurring in patients, 1 treated with burr hole craniotomy and irrigation, and the other treated with the epidural blood patch. Both patients exhibited similar-appearing bilateral relatively-thin hematomas, hyperplasia, and enhanced contrast effects in the dura mater, and extradural hygroma in the cervical portion on enhanced magnetic resonance imaging scans. Also, to reviewing prior literature and imaging findings, they had already undergone conventional treatment. We added MMA embolization treatment and they followed a good course.

Results: Despite the known intractable outcomes of patients with CSDHs with CHSs, MMA embolization worked well in the current case series.

Conclusion: MMA embolization might be considered as a preferred therapeutic option for CSDHs with CHSs in order to buy time before the epidural blood patch starts working.

Keywords: Cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia syndrome; Chronic subdural hematoma; Epidural blood patch.; Epidural physiologic saline continuous injection; Middle meningeal artery embolization.