Chronic subdural hematomas: a case series from the medical ward of a north Tanzanian referral hospital
Abstract Background Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) initially present as focal neurological deficits with or without signs of increased intracranial pressure, for which admission to the general medical ward may occur if they present with poorly understood neurological deficits and no evident histo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2019-10-01
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| Series: | Egyptian Journal of Neurosurgery |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41984-019-0054-7 |
| _version_ | 1819001797587501056 |
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| author | Sakina Mehboob Rashid Shahrzad Seyedeh Deliran Marieke Cornelia Johanna Dekker William Patrick Howlett |
| author_facet | Sakina Mehboob Rashid Shahrzad Seyedeh Deliran Marieke Cornelia Johanna Dekker William Patrick Howlett |
| author_sort | Sakina Mehboob Rashid |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) initially present as focal neurological deficits with or without signs of increased intracranial pressure, for which admission to the general medical ward may occur if they present with poorly understood neurological deficits and no evident history of trauma. The symptoms may be long standing and mimic stroke upon presentation. Their distribution and specific clinical features in sub-Saharan Africa are largely unknown. Methods We describe a series of subdural hematoma (SDH) inpatients from the medical ward of a tertiary referral center in Northern Tanzania, describing clinical and radiological characteristics and providing clinical outcome where possible. Results Our study population numbered 30, with a male majority (n = 19, 63.3%) and a mean age of 66.8 ± 14.5 years. Mean duration from symptom onset to admission in the medical ward was 20.0 ± 30.8 days. History of head injury was reported in only 43.3% of patients. Improvement in the neurological examination was noted in 68.1% of the 22 patients who underwent surgery. The mortality rate was 20.0%. Conclusion A majority of the patients were elderly males and presented late to the hospital. Delayed presentation and diagnosis due to, amongst other reasons, postponed imaging resulted in a prolonged time to definitive treatment and a high mortality rate compared to other regions of the world. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T22:54:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-01220a5c1fe74a4d8464ff403943ef79 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2520-8225 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T22:54:55Z |
| publishDate | 2019-10-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Egyptian Journal of Neurosurgery |
| spelling | doaj.art-01220a5c1fe74a4d8464ff403943ef792022-12-21T19:24:08ZengSpringerOpenEgyptian Journal of Neurosurgery2520-82252019-10-013411510.1186/s41984-019-0054-7Chronic subdural hematomas: a case series from the medical ward of a north Tanzanian referral hospitalSakina Mehboob Rashid0Shahrzad Seyedeh Deliran1Marieke Cornelia Johanna Dekker2William Patrick Howlett3Department of General Surgery, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical CentreDepartment of Neurology, RadboudumcDepartment of General Surgery, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical CentreDepartment of Internal Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical CentreAbstract Background Chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) initially present as focal neurological deficits with or without signs of increased intracranial pressure, for which admission to the general medical ward may occur if they present with poorly understood neurological deficits and no evident history of trauma. The symptoms may be long standing and mimic stroke upon presentation. Their distribution and specific clinical features in sub-Saharan Africa are largely unknown. Methods We describe a series of subdural hematoma (SDH) inpatients from the medical ward of a tertiary referral center in Northern Tanzania, describing clinical and radiological characteristics and providing clinical outcome where possible. Results Our study population numbered 30, with a male majority (n = 19, 63.3%) and a mean age of 66.8 ± 14.5 years. Mean duration from symptom onset to admission in the medical ward was 20.0 ± 30.8 days. History of head injury was reported in only 43.3% of patients. Improvement in the neurological examination was noted in 68.1% of the 22 patients who underwent surgery. The mortality rate was 20.0%. Conclusion A majority of the patients were elderly males and presented late to the hospital. Delayed presentation and diagnosis due to, amongst other reasons, postponed imaging resulted in a prolonged time to definitive treatment and a high mortality rate compared to other regions of the world.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41984-019-0054-7Chronic subdural hematomasMedical departmentNorth TanzaniaNeurosurgical access |
| spellingShingle | Sakina Mehboob Rashid Shahrzad Seyedeh Deliran Marieke Cornelia Johanna Dekker William Patrick Howlett Chronic subdural hematomas: a case series from the medical ward of a north Tanzanian referral hospital Egyptian Journal of Neurosurgery Chronic subdural hematomas Medical department North Tanzania Neurosurgical access |
| title | Chronic subdural hematomas: a case series from the medical ward of a north Tanzanian referral hospital |
| title_full | Chronic subdural hematomas: a case series from the medical ward of a north Tanzanian referral hospital |
| title_fullStr | Chronic subdural hematomas: a case series from the medical ward of a north Tanzanian referral hospital |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chronic subdural hematomas: a case series from the medical ward of a north Tanzanian referral hospital |
| title_short | Chronic subdural hematomas: a case series from the medical ward of a north Tanzanian referral hospital |
| title_sort | chronic subdural hematomas a case series from the medical ward of a north tanzanian referral hospital |
| topic | Chronic subdural hematomas Medical department North Tanzania Neurosurgical access |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41984-019-0054-7 |
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