Chronic subdural hematoma following electro convulsive therapy.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a vital treatment for severe psychiatric disorders like bipolar affective disorder (BAD).
• Intracranial bleeding, including subdural hematoma, is a rare but serious potential complication of ECT.
• Few documented cases exist linking ECT to subdural hematoma.

Observation:

• A 38-year-old female with a 15-year history of BAD, undergoing ECT treatment.
• Presented with new onset neurological symptoms: dysphasia, headache, left-sided paresis, and altered sensorium.
• Brain CT revealed a left frontoparietal chronic subdural hematoma with significant midline shift.

Findings:

• The patient's symptoms were directly attributed to the subdural hematoma.
• Successful surgical drainage of the chronic subdural hematoma was performed.
• The patient's neurological deficits improved post-intervention.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering subdural hematoma in patients with neurological changes post-ECT.
• Emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis and neurosurgical intervention for favorable outcomes.
• Contributes to the limited literature on ECT-associated intracranial hemorrhage, informing clinical vigilance.