Patterns and outcomes of posterior fossa extradural hematoma-six years study in emergency hospitals of Erbil city

Abstract

Background and objectives: Posterior fossa extradural hematoma is rare , however, in clinical practice it may represent a top emergency. The aim of study was to find the proportion of posterior fossa extradural hematoma to other extradural hematomas, its age incidence, main causes and factors that affect surgery and outcomes.

Methods: Thirty-five cases of posterior fossa extradural hematoma were diagnosed and treated over 6 years period, from 2012 to 2018. The patients were evaluated regarding age, type of trauma, cranial computer tomography, Glasgow coma scale score, treatment and follow-up over the period of 3 months.

Results: Thirty-five patients (1.8%) with posterior fossa extradural hematoma were treated. Their mean age + SD were 16.81 + 14.58 years, ranging from 2 to 65 years. The causes of head trauma in a decreasing order were fall from height (57.1%) (Twenty patients), and road traffic accident (42.9%) (Fifteen patients). Glasgow coma scale score was 13-15 in the majority (62.9) (twenty-two cases). About fifty-four point three percent were treated conservatively, and surgical intervention was done in forty-five point seven percent. Around sixty- five point seven percent were alive without deficit, and only five point seven percent died. Among those with hematoma (< 10 mL), sixteen patients were alive without deficit compared with seven with (> 10 mL). The proportion of alive patients without deficit were treated conservatively (seventeen patients) compared with six patients treated surgically.