Background Sequentially evolving intracranial bilateral haematomas,
where the second haematoma develops after the surgical removal of the
first one is rarely reported.
Aim To report a patient who developed an epidural haematoma after
evacuation of a contralateral subdural haematoma.
Methods A 49-year-old male was admitted to our department after head
injury. A brain computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed an acute
subdural haematoma in the right temporal area which was evacuated.
During his stay in the intensive care unit, he was submitted to
intracranial pressure monitoring, which soon rose. Results A new CT scan
showed an acute epidural haematoma in the contralateral parietal area
that was also evacuated.
Conclusions While rising intracranial pressure after the evacuation of a
traumatic haematoma is usually attributed to brain oedema or recurrent
haematoma at the craniotomy site, the development of a contralateral
epidural haematoma requiring surgical treatment should not be
overlooked
