Managing non-acute subdural hematoma using liquid materials: a Chinese randomized trial of middle meningeal artery treatment (MAGIC-MT)—protocol

BACKGROUND: The conventional treatments for non-acute subdural hematoma (SDH) are facing the challenge of high hematoma recurrence and progression. A novel treatment of middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization showed the potential role in decreasing the recurrence and progression rate of SDH compared to conventional treatments in multiple cohort studies. A randomized controlled trial is warranted to determine the effectiveness and safety of MMA embolization for non-acute hematoma and whether MMA embolization is superior to conventional treatments to lower the symptomatic recurrence and progression rate of non-acute SDH. METHODS: This is an investigator-initiated, multi-center, prospective, open-label parallel group trial with blinded outcome assessment (PROBE design) assessing superiority of MMA embolization compared to conventional treatments. A total of 722 patients are planned to be randomized 1:1 to receive MMA embolization (intervention) or conventional treatments (control). The primary outcome is the symptomatic SDH recurrence/progression rate within 90 ± 14 days post-randomization. DISCUSSION: This trial will clarify whether MMA embolization could reduce the recurrence or progression rate of symptomatic non-acute SDH compared to conventional treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT04700345, Registered on 7 January 2021. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-023-07608-2.