Clinical manifestations of chronic subdural hematoma in the elderly: Literature Review

The clinical manifestations of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) are often confused with other medical entities in the elderly, making their early diagnosis difficult or difficult. Early diagnosis is important, since its prognosis is directly associated with the preoperative neurological state, thus resulting in a worse vital and functional prognosis. Objectives: Report through a literature review the clinical manifestations of CSDH in the elderly population. Methods: Literature review, with the search terms: “Signs and Symptoms”, “Chronic Subdural Hematoma”, Aged, Diagnosis and Prognosis. In which PubMed, Lilacs, Scielo, Cochrane and TripDataBase data platforms were used. The inclusion criteria were: original studies published in any language. Articles in which full reading was prevented were excluded. With the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 110 articles were included in the study. Results: Clinical presentation depends on the location, volume of the hematoma, rapid growth, the location of the CSDH, whether unilateral or bilateral, and the clinical conditions of the patient. Because the forms of clinical presentation of CSDH are variable, it is necessary that health professionals linked to the elderly (geriatrician, psychiatrist, general practitioner) have knowledge of this clinical entity. Conclusions: The recognition of classic forms as well as the identification of risk factors in the elderly favors the timely diagnosis and treatment of CSDH in the elderly population.