Post-traumatic bilateral synchronous acute extradural hematomas: A case report and review of literature

and importance:Bilateral extradural hematomas account for less than 5% of all entities of extradural hematomas. The condition is generally caused by traumatic brain injury, which can form separate hematomas contralaterally or joint bilateral extradural hematomas commonly owing to superior sagittal sinus injury. In light of the above, this is the first case of such a condition to be reported from Sudan in the literature.

A 31-years-old male presented with headache, confusion, and 4 episodes of non-projectile vomiting with a GCS score of 14, after being assaulted by direct blunt head trauma. CT brain showed acute extradural hematoma on the right frontotemporal part compared to a parietal extradural hematoma on the contralateral side. The patient underwent bilateral craniotomy with a wide question mark-like skin flap on the right temporoparietal side followed by 5 burr holes. On the left side, parietal craniotomy was made with an inverted U-shaped skin flap and 4 burr holes on the left parietal side, after that two surgical drains were inserted bilaterally. The patient was discharged on the third postoperative day with a GCS of 15.

Although bilateral extradural hematomas are rare and grave conditions, prompt surgical intervention has shown low morbidity and mortality rate with markedly favorable postoperative outcomes.

Bilateral extradural hematomas can be attributed to extended linear fracture caused by superior sagittal sinus injury. CT scan is the gold standard imaging. However, MRI and MRV can be used to demonstrate injury or occlusion of the Superior sagittal sinus.