Original Article (Panel Discussion)
The therapeutic effect of saireito for chronic subdural hematoma
2017 Volume 3 Issue 1 Pages 17-25
Details
2017 Volume 3 Issue 1 Pages 17-25
Background and purpose: Recently, chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is often treated by Kampo medicine, such as goreisan and saireito. We mainly use saireito for the treatment of CSDH and investigate the effect of saireito.
Methods: From August, 2007 to December, 2016, 146 subjects were included. Ninety-seven were male and 48 were over 85 years old. Ninety-two were symptomatic, and their symptoms were severe motor disturbance in 24, gait disturbance in 19, dementia in 12, mild elevation of intracranial pressure in 35 and so on. Saireito of 6.0 g/day was administered to the all subjects. Seventy-seven had anti-thrombotic drugs, and continued the taking of these drugs.
Results: One hundred thirty-four subjects (91.8%) had improvement of CT findings. The average period of saireito treatment were 5.7 weeks. In almost subjects, the reduction of CSDH was noticed within 2 or 3 weeks after the beginning of treatment. The therapeutic effect was not different between with and without symptoms or antithrombotic drugs. The adverse effects occurred in 4 who had interstitial pneumonitis, liver dysfunction, hypo-potassium and diarrhea respectively.
Conclusions: Saireito is useful for the treatment of CSDH. Occasionally, saireito causes interstitial pneumonitis and liver dysfunction. Because of protection of adverse effects, we use 6.0 g/day which is two thirds of the maximum permissible dosage of saireito, and try to finish the treatment as early as possible.
