Transient neurologic deficit caused by chronic subdural hematoma

Transient neurologic deficits are an unusual presentation of chronic subdural hematoma. Presented herein are three patients with transient aphasia and right-sided sensory-motor abnormalities caused by subdural hematoma. Review of the literature revealed 32 cases similar to ours. Presenting complaints were aphasia (77%), sensory symptoms (57%), headache (48%), hemiparesis (50%), and visual disturbance (3%). Fifteen patients underwent cerebral angiography; only three showed significant carotid atherosclerosis. Electroencephalograms were performed in seven patients; five revealed lateralized slowing, but none showed epileptiform activity. Drainage of the hematoma was uniformly curative, although six patients had transient postoperative symptoms. Patients presenting with transient deficits require imaging to rule out the presence of a chronic subdural hematoma.