Middle meningeal artery embolization for treatment of chronic subdural hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is caused by rupture of bridging intracranial veins located in the subdural space. Predominantly, cSDH is a disease of older adults and other predisposing risk factors include minor head trauma, cerebral atrophy, antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapies, arterial hypertension, cerebrovascular atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, cerebrospinal fluid loss, and excessive alcohol consumption. The incidence of cSDH is rising worldwide due to an aging population and the increased use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Clinical manifestations are varied, with altered mental status and focal neurologic deficits among the most common. METHODOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS: Treatment strategies depend on the symptomatology and extent of hematoma. In general, conservative treatment is sought for patients who are asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, whereas symptomatic patients are often treated surgically. However, the recurrence rate of cSDH may be as high as 30%. In recent years, middle meningeal artery embolization has emerged as a complementary option to surgery aimed at decreasing the recurrence rate after excision as well as an alternative therapeutic approach to surgical therapy in certain circumstances.
CONCLUSION: Embolization of the middle meningeal artery appears to be a promising treatment for patients with cSDH, both before and after surgical excision.