Subarachnoid hematoma
Subarachnoid Hematoma is a medical condition characterized by the accumulation of blood within the subarachnoid space, the area between the brain and the arachnoid membrane, one of the three meninges that cover the brain. This condition is often caused by trauma, aneurysm, or arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
Causes[edit | edit source]
The most common cause of a subarachnoid hematoma is trauma, such as a head injury. Other causes can include aneurysms, particularly cerebral aneurysms, and arteriovenous malformations. Less commonly, subarachnoid hematomas can be caused by bleeding disorders or blood thinners.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of a subarachnoid hematoma can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Common symptoms include sudden, severe headache, often described as the "worst headache of my life", nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, seizure, and loss of consciousness. In severe cases, a subarachnoid hematoma can lead to coma or death.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of a subarachnoid hematoma typically involves a CT scan of the head to visualize the brain and the surrounding structures. If a CT scan is not conclusive, a lumbar puncture may be performed to detect blood in the cerebrospinal fluid.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment of a subarachnoid hematoma depends on the cause and severity of the condition. In cases of trauma, immediate medical attention is required to prevent further bleeding and reduce pressure on the brain. This may involve surgery to remove the hematoma and repair any damaged blood vessels. If an aneurysm is the cause, treatment may involve endovascular coiling or clipping to prevent rupture. Medications may also be used to manage symptoms and prevent complications such as vasospasm.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for a subarachnoid hematoma depends on a variety of factors, including the cause, location, and size of the hematoma, the patient's age and overall health, and the speed and effectiveness of treatment. With prompt and appropriate treatment, some patients can recover fully, while others may experience long-term neurological deficits.
Translate: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD