subdural hematoma by sean stives. what is it? subdural = beneath (visceral to) the dura hematoma = a...
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Subdural HematomaBy Sean Stives
What is it?
Subdural = beneath (visceral to) the dura Hematoma = a blood clot
Damage caused by increased pressure on the brain Often fatal: 50-90% mortality rate Accounts for 10-20% of traumatic brain injuries Can often accompany a cerebral contusion
How is it caused?
Rapid acceleration or deceleration of the brain tears the veins around the skull
Brain's inertia competes with the skull's movement like a passenger in a motor vehicle
Puts force on bridging veins that help keep brain in place
If the force becomes too great, the vein tears. Primary mechanisms: whiplash & blunt force
trauma
Subdural Hematoma
Click Me
Arrow Points to a subdural hematoma on
a CT scan
Two Types of Subdural Hematomas
Acute Clot is new More common version
Chronic Clot is old Often in patients aged 60+ Brain atrophy causes
shrinkage More space = less pressure Clots are larger but signs
and symptoms show up later
Happen more easily
Signs and Symptoms
May take hours, days, or weeks for signs and symptoms to show. (Because veins are torn. Not arteries.)
Headache that increases over time Exercise-induced headaches Dizziness, nausea, hearing & visual disturbances,
concentration issues, and unequal pupils Low Glasgow Coma Scale scores
Treatment & Recovery
True medical emergency Get person to a hospital immediately
Hematoma appears on a CT scan. Usually requires rapid surgical intervention Brain surgery patients' recoveries vary
~20-30% regain some or all brain function young adults, those with a GCS score > 6 or 7, and
those without multiple brain contusions have the best chances at a successful recovery
What to remember
Caused by a rapid acceleration/deceleration mechanism
Blood clot beneath the dura mater of the cranial cavity
Tears veins around the brain Requires immediate medical attention