Intracranial meningiomas associated with non-traumatic chronic subdural hematoma

Background. Non-traumatic subdural hematomas are very rarely associated with intracranial meningiomas. Pathophysiological mechanisms of such an association are not yet fully understood. Case description. We report on two patients harboring an intracranial meningioma and ipsilateral non-traumatic chronic subdural hematoma. Their history was negative for risk factors for subdural hematoma. Both patients were submitted to surgery for evacuation of the subdural collection. The presence of the meningioma was discovered during surgery. A second operation was necessary in our first case. Conclusions. We retrospectively analyzed our radiological data and the literature to provide some features that may help in the pre-operative diagnosis of a meningioma in patients presenting with a chronic subdural hematoma. Furthermore the mechanisms responsible for this association are discussed on the basis of our pathological evidence.