Abstract

CARVALHO, Marisa et al. Subdural hematoma in pediatrics - Early diagnosis and treatment. Nascer e Crescer [online]. 2011, vol.20, n.2, pp.76-78. ISSN 0872-0754.

Introduction: Non-traumatic acute subdural hematoma is a rare entity in children. In the presence of acute neurological symptoms associated with long termanticoagulation, it is manda­tory to rule out this entity. Case report: We report the case of a seven-year-old boy, with mechanical mitral valve prosthesis under warfarin treat­ment, presenting severe and progressive headache associated with altered level of consciousness and seizures. Laboratory studies revealed a high value of International Normalized Ratio(INR: 4,2). He was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in a coma with anisocoria. He was mechanically ventilated and started on specific measures to reduce cerebral edemain ad­dition to anticonvulsants. Cranial computerized tomography (CT scan) revealed acute left subdural hematoma, with midline shift. Fifty-six hours after the onset of symptoms, he was submitted to decompressive craniectomy. There was progressive clinical re­covery with neurological and imaging improvement and an excel­lent outcome. Discussion: This case illustrates the importance of the clinical suspicion of a subdural hematoma in patients treated with anticoagulants, as well as the need of optimizing surgical condi­tions and the use of non invasive techniques for monitoring the level of consciousness.

Keywords : anticoagulation; congenital heart disease; sub­dural hematoma.

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