<title>Follow-up in patients with subdural haematomas using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)</title>

Secondary haemorrhage is an important cause of brain injury following initial therapy of subdural haematoma (SDH). Early identification and treatment of secondary haemorrhage improves neurologic outcome. Near infrared light at a wavelength of 760 nm shows a high absorption for haemoglobin. The difference in absorbance of light ((Delta) OD) at the wavelength of 760 nm between both hemispheres is measured to detect SDH. We have prospectively studied 20 patients with the CT diagnosis of SDH using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Unilateral subdural haematomas were detected by NIRS in 15 out of 16 patients. Bilateral SDH were detected in 2 out of 3 patients. The median of (Delta) OD was reduc…