An Unusual Presentation of Chronic Subdural Hematoma with Isolated Footdrop.

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) typically present with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, including headache, nausea/vomiting, and somnolence, or with contralateral weakness. Compression of the convexity cerebral cortex usually causes motor deficit that is more readily appreciated in the upper extremity rather than in the leg, and very subtle deficit may be detected only by looking for pronator drift. The precise pattern of signs and symptoms in CSDH may vary from case to case depending on the specific anatomy of compression, but isolated lower extremity weakness is rare.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 79-year-old woman presented with isolated footdrop. CSDH overlying the cerebral convexity was detected on computed tomography. The foot weakness resolved on surgical drainage.

CONCLUSIONS

CSDH overlying the cerebral convexity may manifest with isolated foot weakness. Awareness of the potential for this unusual presentation of CSDH may be useful to the clinician assessing a patient with otherwise unexplained foot weakness.