Chronic Subdural Hematoma (cSDH)

Chronic Subdural Hematoma Experts

Chronic subdural hematoma refers to a fluid collection that accumulates over the surface of the brain. These collections put pressure on the brain and can cause many different symptoms including headache and head pressure, confusion, cognitive decline, seizures, weakness, numbness and difficulty with speech.

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In the past, the treatment of these collections required open surgery. At Stony Brook Medicine, Dr. David Fiorella has pioneered a new minimally invasive procedure called Middle Meningeal Artery (MMA) embolization. In some cases, MMA embolization allows us to cure many of these collections without open brain surgery.

Here's how it works:

• During an MMA embolization procedure, we can block off the arteries supplying the coverings of the brain with a glue-like substance. We access these arteries with our small catheters that are often inserted through the artery of the wrist (radial arteries) and guided up into the head.
• The procedure often times can be performed with a same-day admission or a brief overnight stay.
• The MMA embolization procedure can also be performed before or after brain surgery for cSDH. MMA embolization may reduce the risk for reaccumulation of blood after surgery or in some cases can be effective to treat residual blood collections after surgery.