Subdural hematoma. A retrospective study of the 'great neurologic imitator'

A retrospective survey of 88 patients with subdural hematoma was carried out. Typical patients were men over 60 years of age with a history of head injury. Patients presented with a variety of nonspecific signs and symptoms. Modern, noninvasive investigative techniques with a high degree of reliability, such as computed tomography and radioactive technetium brain scanning, were used. Skull films were rarely helpful. The majority of patients improved or recovered with appropriate therapy, usually burr hole evacuation. Patients under 60 years of age were more likely to recover than older patients. Similarly, patients who presented chronically or subacutely were more likely to recover than those who presented acutely.