Chronic extradural haematoma--report of 33 cases

During 35 years (1955-1989) 236 extradural haematomas were operated on in the National Institute of Neurosurgery, Budapest. 33 of them were operated on after the 4th day following trauma. These cases were termed as chronic ones. There was no mortality and only two patients had permanent neurological signs. The much more favourable outcome of the chronic extradural haematoma could be explained with the slow development of the haematoma. It is remarkable that the trauma itself was not recognised in several cases.