Risk factors for chronic subdural hematoma: a focus on male predisposition
Keywords:
FACTORES DE RIESGO; HEMATOMA SUBDURAL; NEUROCIRUGÍA; POBLACIÓN MASCULINA; TRAUMA CRANEAL., SUBDURAL HEMATOMA; MALE POPULATION; NEUROSURGERY; RISK FACTORS; TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.Abstract
Introduction: Chronic subdural hematoma is the accumulation of blood between the dura mater and the arachnoid, usually appearing 2 to 3 weeks after cranial trauma. Its incidence is higher in older adults and male patients. Early diagnosis is crucial, as timely neurosurgical treatment greatly improves functional prognosis and reduces mortality from this condition.
Objective: To characterize the risk factors associated with the higher incidence of chronic subdural hematoma in the male population.
Methods: A literature review was conducted in the SciELO, SCOPUS, and PubMed databases using the terms "chronic subdural hematoma" and "risk factors." Of the 56 references consulted, 41 were selected and included.
Development: Chronic subdural hematoma is favored by conditions such as cerebral atrophy, alcoholism, the use of antithrombotic agents, and cranioencephalic trauma. The interaction of these elements explains the higher incidence in men, with a 3:1 ratio compared to women. Although iatrogenic causes are not sex-related, they are preventable through precise neurosurgical techniques.
Conclusions: Due to factors such as population aging, chronic subdural hematoma may become the most frequent neurosurgical pathology in the coming years. Its higher incidence in male patients is attributable to modifiable multifactorial causes rather than to an inherent biological predisposition.
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