CASE REPORT
Introduction: Abusive alcohol use has been increasing with age and causing serious health problems, including chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Alcohol has been considered a modifiable risk factor in the development of CSDH. When submitted to surgical drainage, it presents serious complications and increased morbidity and mortality. Case presentation: MAS, a 65-year-old male, with a history of systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He had a history of daily alcoholic beverage intake and frequent falls from standing height. Neurological examination revealed somnolence, isocoric and photoreactive pupils, right hemiparesis, and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 9. Non-contrast cranial computed tomography demonstrated a hypodense frontoparietal lesion on the left. The patient underwent hematoma drainage. There was hematoma recurrence, and the patient developed respiratory complications, ultimately leading to death. Conclusion: Alcohol has been a risk factor in the development of CSDH by increasing the risk of accidental falls and traumatic brain injury. Due to capillary fragility, cerebral atrophy, and coagulation disorders secondary to hepatic impairment, it predisposes the elderly to the development of this type of hematoma.
Introduction: Abusive alcohol use has been increasing with age and causing serious health problems, including chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Alcohol has been considered a modifiable risk factor in the development of CSDH. When submitted to surgical drainage, it presents serious complications and increased morbidity and mortality. Case presentation: MAS, a 65-year-old male, with a history of systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He had a history of daily alcoholic beverage intake and frequent falls from standing height. Neurological examination revealed somnolence, isocoric and photoreactive pupils, right hemiparesis, and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 9. Non-contrast cranial computed tomography demonstrated a hypodense frontoparietal lesion on the left. The patient underwent hematoma drainage. There was hematoma recurrence, and the patient developed respiratory complications, ultimately leading to death. Conclusion: Alcohol has been a risk factor in the development of CSDH by increasing the risk of accidental falls and traumatic brain injury. Due to capillary fragility, cerebral atrophy, and coagulation disorders secondary to hepatic impairment, it predisposes the elderly to the development of this type of hematoma.
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1Department of Neurosurgery, Universidade Federal de Sergipe – UFS, Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
2Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro – UFTM, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
3Neurosurgery Service Hospital de Urgências João Alves Filho, Aracaju, SE, Brazil.
Received Mar 16, 2026
Corrected May 12, 2026
Accepted May 13, 2026
