ABSTRACT
Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is the most common neurosurgical disorder. Its incidence is around 1 to 2 per 100,000 per year, but this is predicted to grow to 17 per 100,000 per year by 2030. Although acute subdural hematomas are regarded as neurosurgical emergencies, CSDH is regarded as a benign disease of the elderly. It is the most common neurosurgical procedure, and with an aging population, will increase in the coming years. CSDH is most common in the elderly. This is partly due to brain atrophy with aging. The bridging veins from the dura to the brain surface become taut. Treatment is occasionally conservative with serial computed tomography (CT) scans. This would be indicated for small CSDH with no symptoms and no evidence of mass effect or midline shift on CT. The potential use of oral steroids, such as oral dexamethasone, is currently not standard practice but may be used.
