Evidence Hub

The drainage tube into the dural-outer membrane space during burr hole evacuation for chronic subdural hematoma: Novel case report of 2 patients

Wang C, Zhou K, Chen J, Qian J, Zhou C, Deng X, Du X

Medicine, 2025

Abstract

Rationale: During burr hole evacuation for chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH), the drainage catheter may inadvertently enter the potential space between the dura mater and the hematoma's outer membrane (dural-outer membrane (DOM) space), an unrecognized complication. This misplacement can lead to inadequate drainage, delayed recovery, and recurrence. This report describes 2 cases illustrating this phenomenon and aims to raise awareness and propose preventative strategies.

Patient concerns: Two male patients (mean age: 77 years) presented with symptoms including limb weakness, headache, or dizziness.

Diagnoses: Computed tomography scans revealed that case 1 had bilateral frontotemporoparietal high-density subdural hematomas, while case 2 exhibited a trabecular-septated subdural hematoma in the right frontotemporal region. The preoperative diagnosis was chronic subdural hematoma (possibly with intracranial hypertension).

Interventions: Preoperative evaluation localized the hematoma, and burr hole evacuation was performed at the site of maximum thickness. Postoperatively, minimal or no hematoma drainage was observed in both patients. One patient experienced hematoma recurrence, while the other had prolonged hospitalization and delayed symptom resolution.

Outcomes: Retrospective analysis of the surgical procedures, imaging studies, and clinical outcomes confirmed that the drainage catheter had entered the DOM space in both cases. This misplacement was identified as the cause of…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free