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Subdural Hematoma

Figure 1

Axial FLAIR brain image showing bilateral subdural collections/hematomas.

Case overview

This case highlights the vital role of whole body MRI (WB-MRI) in early detection of asymptomatic diseases, which can become serious if not treated promptly.

Patient History

  • A 72-year-old male came to Prenuvo for a proactive WB-MRI screening after a recent trip.
  • He reported no symptoms or specific concerns.

Findings

  • Two bilateral subdural hematomas (≤10mm) were found. (Figure 1 and Figure 2)
  • No brain herniation or midline shift was noted.  An excess of pressure from surrounding fluid can cause unwanted movement of the brain.
Figure 1
Figure 2

Coronal T1-weighted brain image showing bilateral subdural collections/hematomas.  Signal characteristics on the right-sided collection suggest acute/subacute components, and the left-sided collection has a more chronic appearance.

Figure 3
Figure 4

Follow-up care

A follow-up driven by neurological concerns showed that the fluid collections were growing larger.  The patient promptly underwent two procedures: a burr hole drainage to remove the excess fluid, and a middle meningeal artery embolization to prevent further hematomas.  These treatments stabilized the patient’s condition and averted potential life-threatening complications.

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

How the Prenuvo scan impacted patient care:

  • The WB-MRI scan detected two previously unknown subdural hematomas.  This condition can silently progress and become serious if not treated.  Severe complications such as neurological deficits or brain herniation can occur.  
  • WB-MRI provided a safe radiation-free alternative to a brain CT scan
  • Due to the patient’s asymptomatic presentation, it is unlikely that the traditional healthcare system would have discovered a silent hematoma, thus increasing the risk of a life-threatening outcome.

Figure 

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