Subdural Hematoma

Description

A subdural hematoma is a collection of blood caused by bleeding (hemorrhage) that collects and clots beneath the outermost of the three membranes (meninges) that cover the brain. There are two types of subdural hematoma: an acute subdural hematoma occurs soon after a head injury, and it is the most common cause of death from injury in contact sports; a chronic subdural hematoma may develop weeks after a head injury. The injury may have been so minor that the patient does not remember it.

Common signs and symptoms

• Recurrent headaches that worsen each day

• Fluctuating drowsiness, dizziness, mental changes or confusion

• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body

• Vision disturbances (including blurred vision)

• Vomiting without nausea

• Unequal pupil size (sometimes)

Causes

• Acute: A severe blow to the head bruises the brain or tears the meninges or blood vessels.

• Chronic: A minor, even forgotten, head injury results in blood pooling in the enclosed space in the brain and forms a hematoma that gradually increases in size with further bleeding.

Factors that increase risk

• Use of anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners), including warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, ibuprofen, and antiinflammatory medications

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