Chronic extradural hematomas of the posterior cranial fossa.

During the past 6 years, seven patients with chronic extradural hematomas have been observed at these hospitals. All had a history of occipital injury. Occipital fracture was demonstrated in five cases (by skull x-ray in three cases, at operation in two). The diagnosis was obtained by computed tomography scan in six cases and by iodoventriculography in one. One patient had an associated cerebral lesion, namely, a contralateral temporoparietal contusion. The interval between injury and operation ranged from 27 to 13 days with a mean of 19 days. Only one patient was not operated on, because he was free from symptoms and the hematoma was small. The course was excellent in all seven cases.