Surgery is the standard treatment for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH), one of the
common problems in neurosurgical practice. Although medical treatment was used by
some authors and found some positive results, it is not accepted by many authors.
The aim of this review is to give overall view of the medical management of CSDH.
Action of various drugs in the pathophysiological cascade of formation of CSDH was
depicted. The review of literature is done under three headings – the primary medical
treatment of CSDH, adjuvant medical treatment with surgery, and the treatment of the
recurrence. Various classifications of CSDH and the factors influencing the outcome
of medical treatment are discussed. There is a role of medical treatment in a selected
group of patients with CSDH. Well-designed, multicenter, randomized controlled trials
are required to define the indications and standard protocols for the medical treatment
of CSDH.
Key-words:
Chronic subdural hematoma - classification of chronic subdural hematoma - conservative
management - medical treatment - nonsurgical treatment
