Objective: To determine the factors causing chronic subdural hematoma in patients following trivial head injury.
Study Design: Descriptive/observational
Place & Duration of Study: Department of Neurosurgery Unit-1, Sandeman Provincial Teaching Hospital Quetta from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2017.
Methods: A total of 52 patients of either genders clinically diagnosed as chronic subdural hematoma due to minor head injury received surgical treatment were included in this study. Patient’s ages were above 50 years. Detailed medical history, including age, sex, residency and causes of head injury were examined as a baseline characteristics. Risk factors associated to chronic subdural hematoma were recorded.
Results: Thirty nine (75%) patients were male while 13 (25%) were females. The age of 22 (42.31%) patients between 50 to 60 years, 26 (50%) patient had 61 to 70 years age and 4 (7.69%) patients had ages >70 years. Decreased level of consciousness was noticed in 14 (26.92%) while severe headache in 11 (21.15%) and loss of memory in 7 (13.46%) cases, Further, personality changes were seen in 10 (19.23%), motor deficit in 4 (7.69%) patients, aphasia in 6 (11.54%) patients. Hypertension was the most common risk factor associated to chronic subdural hematoma and rated 42.31% followed by diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease.
Conclusion: Hypertension followed by ischemic heart disease and risk of diabetes mellitus are common risk factors associated with chronic subdural hematoma.
Keywords: Risk factors, Chronic subdural hematoma, Head injury
