Subdural hematomas in neonates. Surgical treatment.

7 cases of acute subdural hematomas diagnosed and surgically treated during the first week of life are presented. 5 of them are alive and well at 6 and 7 months and 3, 4 and 6 years of follow-up. Free interval, raised intracranial pressure, lateralizing signs, fall of hematocrit and presence of blood in CSF were constant. Subdural puncture was negative in 6 cases, including a hemophilic patient (hemophilia B). Clinical diagnosis was ratified by means of neuroradiological procedures. The authors conclude that craniectomy is the treatment of choice and subdural tapping a useless procedure.