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Spontaneous Healing Of Extradural Hematomas; Report Of Four Cases

Pozzati & Tognetti, 1984Other/Unknown

Neurosurgery 14(6): June 1984; 724-727

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Abstract

We report the case of a 22-year-old male with a carotid cavernous fistula after gunshot injury. A few weeks later the fistula turned into an intracavernous aneurysm of the internal carotid artery. After four years the aneurysm was no longer demonstrable; the ipsilateral internal carotid artery was spontaneously obliterated. According to the literature a carotid cavernous fistula is found in 0.4% to 1.7% of all cases with head trauma. Its spontaneous cure is a rare occurrence.

Case Details

Personal Characteristics

A 71-year-old man

Clinical Characteristics

Partially conscious with retrograde amnesia, mildly impaired mentation

Remission Characteristics

A CT scan on day 10 revealed initial resorption of the clot, a CT scan 4 months later showed disappearance of the hematoma

Treatment & Mechanisms

Proposed Remission Mechanisms

Not discussed

Additional Notes

The patient has remained asymptomatic since leaving the hospital.