Clinical features and treatment strategies for vertex epidural hematoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis from individual participant data

Vertex epidural hematoma (VEDH) is a rare extradural hematoma and often misdiagnosed because of its variety of clinical symptoms and characteristic location. Determining optimal timing and technique for VEDH surgery is difficult because of its midline location and atypical clinical course. This study aims to understand the clinical manifestations and current treatment strategies for VEDH. We searched the published literature regarding VEDH through PubMed and Google Scholar, and individual patient data (IPD) were obtained from the eligible articles. A systematic review and IPD meta-analysis were conducted. In total, 70 patients’ individual participant data were gathered. Most patients were male (87%), and traffic-related accidents were the most common injury mechanism (49%). Approximately half the patients (47%) were neurologically intact with nonspecific symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and vomiting at admission. Motor weakness alone (17%) and symptoms related to cranial nerve dysfunction such as anosmia, blurred vision, or diplopia (10%) were also noted. A surgical approach was initially chosen for 20 patients (28%), but eventually chosen for 20 more (total 40, 57%) during the observation period (average delay to surgery, 5 days). Patients who received surgery showed significantly poorer neurological status and larger hematoma size. Totally, two patients (3%) died, but most patients (94%) had a favorable outcome scoring 5 on the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Although VEDH generally showed favorable outcomes, clinicians must be aware of a high rate of delayed neurological deterioration during the observation period, which can be fatal due to central downward herniation.