A study to compare surgery for chronic subdural haematoma with and without corticosteroids.

INTERVENTION: Surgery with corticosteroid (dexamethasone) oral capsule administered 4mg four times a day for 3 days and then reduced to 2mg three times a day for a maximum of 2 weeks. First dose is administered after onset of general anesthesia. CONDITION: Chronic Subdural Haematomas PRIMARY OUTCOME: Recurrence rate of chronic subdural haematomas SECONDARY OUTCOME: NIL INCLUSION CRITERIA: All patients aged 18yrs or more with demonstrated chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) (either on CT or MRI or both) that is considered by the admitting neurosurgical team to be the cause of the patient's presenting symptoms and/or signs, and to be amenable to neurosurgical management will be considered suitable for study. All patients with diabetes mellitus will be discussed with an endocrinologist prior to commencing corticosteroid (CS).