Subdural hygroma is a neoplasm consisting of cerebrospinal fluid accumulated in the brain. Left without timely treatment for a long time, the tumor puts pressure on various parts of the brain, causing dangerous deviations in the functions of the body. This pathology is a rare phenomenon and very difficult to diagnose, since it is similar to more common neoplasms in the brain, for example, a cyst or hematoma. The ICD-10 code for the subdural hygroma is S06.
Causes of pathology
Subdural brain hygroma is studied by specialists to this day. After all, the main reason for the appearance of pathology has not yet been identified. However, there are several most reliable theories:
- It is believed that subdural hygroma is a consequence of a head injury. Moreover, the force of impact on the head does not matter, since in this case the spider web of the cerebral membrane breaks, and a valve is formed, which results in the accumulation of fluid in the subtotal space.
- Another cause of subdural brain hygroma is the spontaneous rupture of an arachnoid cyst. Such a tumor is most often congenital. That is, the subdural hygroma occurs at an early age.
- Subdural brain hygroma, the cause is surgery. The reason for this procedure may be the removal of various neoplasms in the arachnoid cyst or brain aneurysm. Most often, these pathologies are observed in people of middle and old age.
It is important to know that the treatment of brain hygroma depends on its severity and shape. So, with a traumatic hygroma, 3 types of tumors are distinguished - chronic, acute and subacute. It matters its size and location.
Symptoms of pathology
Manifestations of the presence of a tumor in the brain are directly related to its size. A large neoplasm containing 250 ml of fluid is considered to be a large hygroma, and 50 ml is the smallest. Of course, there is a tumor and less, but it is difficult to diagnose and almost does not manifest itself.
Often, the pathology is accompanied by hematomas or other types of neoplasms, which finds a response in the symptoms - it becomes brighter and more diverse, which ultimately facilitates the diagnosis, but increases the danger to the patient.
In general, the list of symptoms is as follows:
- sleep disturbance, insomnia;
- a headache of a pressing nature that occurs for no apparent reason;
- impaired appetite, nausea leading to vomiting;
- visual impairment;
- hearing impairment;
- frequent loss of consciousness;
- impaired memory, both long-term and short-term;
- impaired coordination of movements;
- there is a violation of the cardiovascular system;
- the patient begins asthma attacks.
There are manifestations of the tumor in human behavior, that is, mental disorders:
- mood swings;
- unmotivated aggression;
- the patient's behavior loses its logical meaning.
- coma.
Symptoms do not occur at once or immediately in severe form. The development of the disease takes from several weeks to several years.
Diagnosis of the disease
Clarification of the cause and diagnosis of subdural hygroma is the beginning of treatment. This process is complex, includes the use of modern techniques.
After the first signs of pathology appear, the patient undergoes an external examination for injuries and traces of blows to the head. Then (if possible) a survey is conducted, during which it is determined whether the patient has hit his head lately.
After that, a neurologist, namely this specialist deals with brain problems, directs the patient to an instrumental examination. This is an X-ray of the brain, that is, a simple and affordable procedure.
If there is a technical possibility, then the patient is examined in a computer tomograph. This device is able to repel even the smallest tumor.
A lumbar puncture performed by tomography can clarify the diagnosis by showing the composition of the cerebral fluid, allowing the measurement of intracranial pressure.
You can clarify the diagnosis using angiography, however, this research method is not the main one in the diagnosis of a pathology of interest.
Conservative treatment of pathology
Despite the fact that the tumor is located in the brain, the patient is not always shown surgery to remove it. If the diagnosis shows that the tumor is small and its pressure on the brain does not have a negative effect, then the treatment is carried out by a conservative method. Most often, this is irradiation of the tumor with ultraviolet light. No matter how the treatment proceeds, no matter how long the period of remission lasts, a patient with a hygroma should be constantly monitored by a neurologist. After all, there is always a chance that the tumor begins to grow again or turns into a malignant formation.
Surgery
If the diagnosis showed that the tumor is large enough and poses a danger to a person, then its surgical removal is performed. During the procedure, a hole is made in the patient’s skull, opposite the tumor, their skulls are pumped out using a special hygroma tool. To completely remove the neoplasm, a special drainage is left in the hole for 3-5 days.
Practice shows that all the signs of a tumor in the brain, that is, pain, impaired vision and hearing, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, and so on, pass almost immediately after surgery. In an extreme case, 5-7 days after it.
What are the forecasts
If the patient's age is not advanced, he does not have concomitant tumors or dangerous tumors in the brain, then the prognosis is usually positive. The operation to remove excess fluid in the skull is not complicated, it proceeds quickly and in 100% of cases ends with the complete recovery of the patient.
However, cases of relapse are known, the patient is forced to go through the trepanation of the skull several times during his life to once again get rid of the tumor. In such cases, the feasibility of installing a patient with a drainage system of constant wear, which removes fluid from under the intracranial space, is considered. Such a device is called a hygromo-peritoneal shunt.
Preventive actions
Since head injuries are considered to be the main cause of tumors and hygroma in the brain, it makes sense as a preventive measure to protect it from strokes. To do this, in all cases of high probability of injury, wear protective helmets. This is riding a motorcycle or bicycle, and work at a construction site or in a mine. It is necessary to protect the head in every possible way when practicing martial arts. For this there is a protective ammunition, including for the head.
When driving a car, be sure to fasten your seat belt. And when crossing the street, do it only on the pedestrian “zebra”. In winter, when there is a high probability of falling due to slippery ice, you need to wear special shoes that prevent slipping. Each person must protect his head from blows and injuries. No one will do this for him.
Conclusion and Conclusions
Subdural hygroma is a rather dangerous pathology, which leads to various disorders associated with the work of the brain. However, with timely diagnosis and a number of medical measures, the prognosis is usually positive.