A Chronic Subdural Hematoma in a Patient Receiving Combination Therapy with Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C

Abstract

A 70-year-old man who suffered from chronic hepatitis C was infected with HCV genotype 1 and exhibited a high viral load. He had hypertension and had consumed the equivalent of 50 g of ethanol per day. He was treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. After 51 weeks, he developed an unsteady gait while walking and demonstrated Barre's sign on the right foot and a headache. Contrast computed tomography showed a subdural hematoma with a mass effect. The patient was treated with drainage and aspiration surgery via a burr hole. Following the drainage procedure, there were no neurological sequelae. Treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin was discontinued. Fortunately, a sustained virological response was achieved.