Subdural hematoma
(Redirected from Subdural haemorrhage)
Subdural Hematoma (SDH) is a type of intracranial hemorrhage, where blood accumulates in the subdural space between the brain's dura mater and the arachnoid mater. It is typically caused by head trauma that leads to tearing of the bridging veins. The condition can be life-threatening and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Signs and Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The signs and symptoms of a subdural hematoma may vary depending on its size, location, and the severity of the injury. They may include:
- Headache
- Confusion or altered mental status
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Slurred speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
Causes[edit | edit source]
Subdural hematomas are most commonly caused by head injuries, such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, and assaults. Other risk factors include:
- Advanced age
- Alcohol abuse
- Blood clotting disorders
- Long-term use of anticoagulants
- Repeated head injuries (e.g., in contact sports)
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
To diagnose a subdural hematoma, the following diagnostic tests may be performed:
- Medical history and physical examination: The doctor will ask about any recent head injury, symptoms, and medical history.
- Neurological examination: The doctor will assess the patient's cognitive function, motor skills, and reflexes.
- Imaging studies: A CT scan or MRI of the head can provide detailed images of the brain and detect the presence of a subdural hematoma.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment options for subdural hematoma depend on the severity and size of the hematoma, as well as the patient's overall health. They may include:
- Observation: For small, stable hematomas with mild symptoms, the doctor may recommend regular monitoring and follow-up imaging studies.
- Medications: Diuretics, corticosteroids, or antiepileptic drugs may be prescribed to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
- Surgical intervention: For larger hematomas or those causing significant symptoms, surgery may be necessary. Surgical options include:
- Burr hole trephination: A small hole is drilled into the skull to drain the hematoma.
- Craniotomy: A section of the skull is temporarily removed to access the hematoma and remove it.
- Craniectomy: A part of the skull is permanently removed to relieve pressure on the brain.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for subdural hematoma depends on various factors, such as the size and location of the hematoma, the patient's age, and the presence of any underlying medical conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the outcome.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Preventing head injuries is the primary method of subdural hematoma prevention. This may involve:
- Wearing helmets during high-risk activities
- Fall prevention measures for the elderly
- Avoiding alcohol abuse
- Regularly reviewing medications with a healthcare provider to minimize the risk of bleeding
References[edit | edit source]
- Evans, R. W. (2006). Subdural hematoma. In Evans, R. W. (Ed.), Diagnostic testing in neurology (pp. 343-345). Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Company.
- Murthy, J. M. K. (2016). Subdural hematomas: An overview. Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice, 7(Suppl 1), S2-S6. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-3147.181474
- Shetty, S., & Bharath, R. (2019). Subdural hematoma. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532972/
- Wilberger, J. E., & Maroon, J. C. (2016). Subdural hematoma. In Winn, H. R. (Ed.), Youmans and Winn neurological surgery (7th ed., pp. 3114-3121). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
External Links[edit | edit source]
- MedlinePlus: Subdural hematoma
- Mayo Clinic: Intracranial Hematoma
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons: Subdural Hematoma
Subdural hematoma Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - 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
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. 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