Correlation of the Beta-Trace Protein and Inflammatory Cytokines with Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Subdural Hematomas : A Prospective Study

Objective : Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) detects various patterns, which can be attributed to many factors. The purpose of this study was to measure the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and highly specific protein [beta-trace protein (${\beta}TP$)] for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in CSDHs, and correlate the levels of these markers with the MRI findings. Methods : Thirty one patients, treated surgically for CSDH, were divided on the basis of MRI findings into hyperintense and non-hyperintense groups. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and ${\beta}TP$ in the subdural fluid and serum were measured. The ${\beta}TP$ was considered to indicate an admixture of CSF to the subdural fluid if ${\beta}TP$ in the subdural fluid $({\beta}TP_{SF})/{\beta}TP$ in the serum $({\beta}TP_{SER})>2$. Results : The mean concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 of the hyperintense group (n=17) of T1-WI MRI were $3975.1{\pm}1040.8pg/mL$ and $6873.2{\pm}6365.4pg/mL$, whereas them of the non-hyperintense group (n=14) were $2173.5{\pm}1042.1pg/mL$ and $2851.2{\pm}6267.5pg/mL$ (p<0.001 and p=0.004). The mean concentrations of ${\beta}TP_{SF}$ and the ratio of ${\beta}TP_{SF}/{\beta}TP_{SER}$ of the hyperintense group (n=13) of T2-WI MRI were $7.3{\pm}2.9mg/L$ and $12.6{\pm}5.4$, whereas them of the non-hyperintense group (n=18) were $4.3{\pm}2.3mg/L$ and $7.5{\pm}3.9$ (p=0.011 and p=0.011). Conclusion : The hyperintense group on T1-WI MRI of CSDHs exhibited higher concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 than non-hyperintense group. And, the hyperintese group on T2-WI MRI exhibited higher concentrations of ${\beta}TP_{SF}$ and the ratio of ${\beta}TP_{SF}/{\beta}TP_{SER}$ than non-hyperintense group. These findings appear to be associated with rebleeding and CSF admixture in the CSDHs.