# Predictive value of temporal muscle thickness in patients with chronic subdural hematoma

## TL;DR

This study shows that thinner temporal muscles are linked to chronic subdural hematoma and worse outcomes in elderly patients.

## Contribution

The study identifies temporal muscle thickness as a novel prognostic marker for chronic subdural hematoma.

## Key findings

- Temporal muscle thickness was significantly lower in CSDH patients compared to controls.
- Lower temporal muscle thickness was strongly associated with poor functional outcomes in CSDH patients.
- TMT was linked to several clinical factors like age, brain infarction, and postoperative consciousness disturbance.

## Abstract

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common neurosurgical condition that predominantly affects elderly individuals and is characterized by the accumulation of blood between the dura mater and the brain surface. Temporal muscle thickness (TMT) has emerged as a potential prognostic marker for various neurological diseases, including CSDH. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of TMT in patients with CSDH.

This retrospective study assessed TMT in patients with CSDH using cranial CT scans. We examined the correlation between TMT and CSDH-related clinical characteristics and evaluated the prognostic relevance of TMT.

A total of 844 participants were included in the study. TMT was significantly lower in patients with CSDH than in the control group (p < 0.001). The difference in TMT was strongly associated with the side of CSDH occurrence (p < 0.001), with CSDH more likely to develop on the side with lower TMT (OR = 0.219, 95% CI: 0.179–0.269). Lower average TMT was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of poor functional outcomes (OR = 0.560, 95% CI: 0.391–0.804, p = 0.002). Additionally, our analysis showed significant associations between TMT and age (p < 0.001), alcohol consumption (p = 0.009), cardiac disease (p = 0.006), brain infarction (p < 0.001), headache (p < 0.001), limb weakness (p < 0.001), and postoperative disturbance of consciousness (p = 0.029).

The occurrence of CSDH is significantly correlated with the side of lower TMT. TMT may serve as an important prognostic marker in patients with CSDH, particularly for predicting functional outcomes.