European journal of neurology : the official journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies
-
Review
The role of corticosteroids in the management of chronic subdural hematoma: a systematic review.
The role of corticosteroids in the management of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) remains a matter of debate. Standard surgical treatment has recurrence rates reported between 4 and 26%. We reviewed the safety and effectiveness of corticosteroids both as a monotherapy and as an adjunct to surgery in patients with CSDH. ⋯ In only two studies, one case of gastrointestinal bleeding was observed. Five observational studies suggest that corticosteroids might be beneficial in the treatment of CSDH; however, there is a lack of well-designed trials that support or refute the use of corticosteroids in CSDH. These results encourage further randomized clinical trials to establish the role of corticosteroids in CSDH.