Subdural Hematoma Mimicking a Transient Ischemic Attack Due to Antihypertensive Medication

An elderly man had two completely reversible episodes of aphasia, each occurring after taking his antihypertensive medications. He was subsequently found to have a subdural hematoma. The association between subdural hematomas (and other intracranial mass lesions) and reversible neurologic deficits is discussed, as is the pathophysiology of the phenomenon. In addition, the relationship between the effects of the patient's antihypertensive medications and the neurologic deficits in the setting of a subdural hematoma is explored.