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Objective The traditional methods for managing symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) at our hospital include evacuation via single burr-hole irrigation with continuous closed subdural drainage (SBID). The single burr-hole aspiration and irrigation technique with continuous closed subdural drainage (SBAID) is an attractive alternative method. The goal of this study was to evaluate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of SBAID compared with traditional SBID methods. Methods A database of 51 CSDH patients treated with the SBAID method and 35 CSDH patients treated with the SBID method was compiled, and a retrospective chart review was performed. Information regarding demographics, comorbidities, presenting symptoms, and outcomes were collected. Predictors of recurrence requiring reoperation and other outcomes were analyzed. Results Compared to the patients in the SBID group, the patients in the SBAID group had a shorter mean duration of surgery (56.6±5.6 minutes vs 59.5±4.8 minutes, respectively, P=0.02); a shorter mean interval from procedure to discharge (6.2±1.2 days vs 6.8±1.3 days, respectively, P=0.046); no significant difference in preoperative hematoma volume (106.4±21.7 cm3 vs 101.3±16.3 cm3, respectively, P=0.25); and a smaller subdural space volume 48 hours after the operation (43.6±7.4 cm3 vs 47.4±9.1 cm3, respectively, P=0.03). In addition, symptomatic hematoma recurrence developed in one patient in the SBAID group and five patients in the SBID group (P=0.03). The in-hospital mortality rates of the SBAID and SBID groups were 2% (1 of 51) and 6% (2 of 35), respectively; this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.35). Conclusions The SBAID method results in a remarkably low recurrence rate and good outcomes. This method should be considered for patients presenting with symptomatic CSDHs.

Damage to the hypothalamus may result from direct surgical injury or from hemorrhage and ischemia caused by the procedure. Patients with hypothalamus damage can be comatose and exhibit hyperthermia. Here, we present a patient whose hypothalamus was directly damaged by a drainage catheter. His clinical manifestations included diabetes insipidus, hyperthermia and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency. The patient was a 48-year-old male and had a body weight of 95 kg. He was admitted to the hospital on August 31, 2019 for memory impairment and nonspecific dizziness that persisted for four months. A magnetic resonance image of the head showed an intraventricular mass attached to the anterior third of the septum pellucidum and Monro's foramen and enlargement of the left lateral ventricle. This intraventricular cystic tumor was 1.9 cm in diameter, without gadolinium enhancement. The tumor resection was performed without complications and with less bleeding than expected. The patient developed central diabetes insipidus within just two hours after the operation and presented with hyperthermia within six hours after the operation. ACTH deficiency was evident on day 1 after surgery. After we removed the catheter 19 hours after the operation, the patient never developed polyuria or high fever again. Two months later, his ACTH level was normal and never needed to take prednisone again. This unusual complication should be taken into account in patients who need external ventricular drains. Much attention should be paid to ensure that the length of the drainage catheter beneath the brain surface does not exceed 5 cm.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the least treatable types of stroke, and its incidence and all-age mortality have increased over the last several decades in China. Surgical evacuation using standard craniectomy for supratentorial hematoma is always controversial. How to ensure effective decreasing of intracranial pressure (ICP) is crucial to the management of ICH. A 48-year-old right-handed woman was brought to our hospital by her family, who stated that the woman could not speak well and had developed sudden left-sided weakness three hours previously. The patients were diagnosed with supratentorial bilateral intraparenchymal hemorrhages, mainly in the putaminal area. After inserting a catheter into the hematoma, we began to perform the maneuver of massage through the catheter by frequently using multiple 2 mL quantities of normal saline and performing the injecting-aspiration maneuver. After performing this massage repeatedly for 15 min, we terminated the operation. After the patient was admitted to the ICU, urokinase (40,000 U) was administered through the catheter every 12 hours for three days. After the patient stayed for an additional 11 days, she was discharged home. Minimally invasive surgery with massage techniques followed by thrombolytic evacuation of clots will be a new method for treating ICH patients.