Updated June 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov
Prospective Clinical Investigation on Infection as a Cause of Chronic Subdural Hematoma.
Prospective Clinical Investigation on Infection as a Cause of Chronic Subdural Hematoma. (NCT07556991) is a Phase 2 / Phase 3 interventional studying Chronic Subdural Hematomas, sponsored by University of Rostock. RECRUITING as of the most recent ClinicalTrials.gov update. Talk to your doctor before contacting the trial site.
About This Trial
Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a very common disease, primarily affecting older people, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The incidence described in the literature is approximately 5 per 100,000/year, but it occurs more frequently in the elderly, with up to 58 per 100,000/year. The recurrence rate is high and is described in the literature as 10 to 27%. Consequently, various studies have evaluated potential risk factors for hematoma recurrence, such as age, brain atrophy, mixed HU density in CCT, increased body mass index, and bilateral hematomas. The pathomechanism of recurrence is currently unknown. The mechanism of development after minor trauma and the progression of the hematoma to a symptomatic form remain unclear. A recent retrospective investigation submitted for publication by the applicant, regarding the occurrence of a low-grade infection in patients with recurrent hematomas, examined this as a possible cause. In this study, microbiological swabs were taken from the subdural space after hematoma evacuation. It was shown that a low-grade infection could be detected in approximately 30% of all hematoma recurrences. This is previously unknown in the neurosurgical literature. This raises the question of whether a low-grade infection is already present in the primary chronic subdural hematoma.
What Stage of Research Is This?
Phase 2 trials evaluate whether a treatment actually works against Chronic Subdural Hematomas and continue monitoring side effects. Phase 2 enrolls larger groups (typically 100–300 patients) and produces the first real efficacy signal. A successful Phase 2 readout is what unlocks the much larger Phase 3 confirmatory trials needed for FDA approval.
This trial is currently recruiting participants. The sponsor has registered the study with ClinicalTrials.gov as actively enrolling, which means new applicants who meet the eligibility criteria can be considered for screening. Trial status can change between updates — confirm current recruiting status with the study contact before traveling for a screening visit.
Target enrollment of 164 participants puts this in the typical range for a Phase 2-style efficacy study or a moderate Phase 3 trial in a focused Chronic Subdural Hematomas subpopulation. At this scale, the study has enough statistical power to detect a clear treatment effect but is not the largest cohort in the field.
Who May Be Eligible (Plain English)
These are translations of the protocol\'s inclusion and exclusion criteria, simplified for patients and caregivers. The original clinical text appears below. Eligibility is ultimately confirmed by the trial site\'s screening process — this summary is a starting point for a conversation with your doctor, not a final determination.
Original Eligibility Criteria
View original clinical language
Treatments Being Tested
Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid
Participants in the Antibiotic Group will receive a standardized oral antibiotic regimen (e.g., Amoxicillin-Clavulanate) effective against the typical spectrum of low-virulence pathogens like Cutibacterium acnes. Participants in the Placebo Group will receive an identical-looking placebo. The treatment will be administered for a fixed duration of 10 days, starting immediately postoperatively.
Placebo ( FE)
Participants in the Antibiotic Group will receive a standardized oral antibiotic regimen (e.g., Amoxicillin-Clavulanate) effective against the typical spectrum of low-virulence pathogens like Cutibacterium acnes. Participants in the Placebo Group will receive an identical-looking placebo. The treatment will be administered for a fixed duration of 10 days, starting immediately postoperatively.
Locations (1)
Trial sites listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for this study. Site activation status can vary — confirm with the specific site before traveling for a screening visit.
How to Talk to Your Doctor About This Trial
Bring the printable summary of this trial — including the NCT ID (NCT07556991), the sponsor (University of Rostock), and the key eligibility criteria — to your next appointment. Your doctor can review the inclusion and exclusion criteria against your medical history, lab values, and current treatments to assess whether you are likely to qualify. They can also help you weigh whether trial participation makes sense alongside your existing care plan.
Useful questions to walk through together: What does the trial protocol require beyond standard care? How long is the active treatment phase, and how long is follow-up? Are there study visits at sites I can reach? Who pays for the trial-specific procedures, and who pays for standard-of-care portions? See our 25 questions to ask about clinical trials guide for a more complete checklist.
Authoritative Sources
The official record for this trial lives on ClinicalTrials.gov — the federal registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. For background on how this trial fits into the FDA approval pathway, see the FDA drug approval process. For oncology-specific guidance for patients considering trials, the National Cancer Institute publishes patient-oriented overviews. International trial registries are aggregated by the WHO ICTRP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NCT07556991 clinical trial studying?
Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a very common disease, primarily affecting older people, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The incidence described in the literature is approximately 5 per 100,000/year, but it occurs more frequently in the elderly, with up to 58 per 100,000/year. The recurrence rate is high and is described in the literature as 10 to 27%. Consequently, various studies have evaluated potential risk factors for hematoma recurrence, such as age, brain atrophy, mixed HU density in CCT, increased body mass index, and bilateral hematomas. The pathomechan… The full protocol is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov and includes the primary outcome measures, eligibility criteria, and study endpoints.
Who can participate in NCT07556991?
Eligibility for this trial depends on the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria set by the sponsor. The plain-English summary above translates the most important criteria into accessible language; the official clinical text is preserved in the collapsible section underneath. Whether you fit any specific trial is a medical decision your doctor needs to confirm — bring the trial information to your treating physician for a full review against your medical history.
How do I contact the trial site for NCT07556991?
Contact information registered with ClinicalTrials.gov is shown in the sidebar of this page. Before reaching out, confirm with your treating physician that this trial is appropriate for your situation. The trial site will then walk you through the screening process to determine final eligibility.
Is participating in a clinical trial safe?
Clinical trials in the United States are regulated by the FDA and overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that review the protocol for safety. Risk varies by trial — Phase 1 studies test new treatments in humans for the first time, while Phase 3 trials use treatments that have already passed earlier safety screening. The informed consent document for any specific trial details the known risks and what to expect. Discuss those risks with your physician before deciding whether to participate.
Where can I verify the data on this page?
Every detail on this page comes directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API. Click "View on ClinicalTrials.gov" in the sidebar to see the official, unmodified record. The federal record is always authoritative; this page is a structured presentation with a plain-English eligibility translation. For background on how clinical trials are regulated, see the FDA drug approval process documentation.
How This Page Is Built
Every field on this page is pulled directly from the ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 — no estimates, no proxies. The plain-English eligibility translation is generated from the original protocol text and reviewed for fidelity to the underlying clinical criteria. The original clinical text remains visible in the collapsible section above so users and clinicians can verify the translation. Read the full methodology for the data pipeline and known limitations.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2 record for NCT07556991. Maintained by the National Library of Medicine at NIH. Public domain. Cite as: "TrialFinderData. NCT07556991. Data: ClinicalTrials.gov."
Medical disclaimer: This page is informational, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether a clinical trial is right for you.
Last updated 2026-06-07 · Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.