Analysis of plasma and hematoma lipids related to choline glycerophospholipid in patients with chronic subdural hematoma.

The levels of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and lipid metabolites related to choline glycerophospholipid were measured in the plasma and hematoma samples obtained from patients with chronic subdural hematoma. The ratio of lyso-choline glycerophospholipids (lysoPC) to choline glycerophospholipids (PC) in hematoma correlated with the interval between the onset of symptoms and surgery. PC and lysoPC fatty acyl moieties in plasma and hematoma were essentially similar. These results suggest that the lysoPC to PC ratio in hematoma can determine the age of the chronic subdural hematoma, and that the origin of hematoma may be circulating blood. The levels of PAF in the plasma of chronic subdural hematoma patients were significantly greater than in healthy volunteers. PAF may be involved in the enlargement of chronic subdural hematoma.