BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuSubdural hematoma Subdural hemorrhage; Traumatic brain injury - subdural hematoma; TBI - subdural hematoma; Head injury - subdural hematomaA subdural hematoma is a collection of blood between the covering of the brain (dura) and the surface of the brain. Causes A subdural hematoma is most often the result of a severe head injury. This type of subdural hematoma is among the deadliest of all head injuries. The bleeding fills the brain area very rapidly, compressing brain tissue. This often results in brain injury and may lead to death.With any subdural hematoma, tiny veins between the surface of the brain and its outer covering (the dura) stretch and tear, allowing blood to collect. In older adults, the veins are often already stretched because of brain shrinkage (atrophy) and are more easily injured.A chronic subdural hematoma is more often seen in older adults. This type of subdural hematoma may be due to blood that persists after an acute injury or the result of slowly leaking blood. These can occur after a minor head injury and may go unnoticed for many days.Chronic subdural hematomaA chronic subdural hematoma is an "old" collection of blood and blood breakdown products between the surface of the brain and its outermost covering ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Some subdural hematomas occur without cause (spontaneously).The following increase the risk for a subdural hematoma:Medicines that thin the blood (such as warfarin or aspirin) Long-term alcohol use Medical conditions that make your blood clot poorly Repeated head injury, such as from falls Very young or very old ageIn infants and young children, a subdural hematoma may occur after child abuse and are commonly seen in a condition called shaken baby syndrome.Shaken baby syndromeShaken baby syndrome is a severe form of child abuse caused by violently shaking an infant or child.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Depending on the size of the hematoma and where it presses on the brain, any of the following symptoms may occur:Drowsiness, confusion, or coma Decreased memory Problem speaking or swallowing SwallowingDifficulty with swallowing is the feeling that food or liquid is stuck in the throat or at any point before the food enters the stomach. This proble...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Problems with balance or walking Headache HeadacheA headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures or loss of consciousness SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea and vomiting Weakness or numbness of arms, legs, face Vision problems Vision problemsThere are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: Halos Blurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Behavioral changes or psychosisPsychosisPsychosis occurs when a person loses contact with reality. The person may: Have false beliefs about what is taking place, or who one is (delusions)S...Read Article Now Book Mark Article In infants, symptoms may include:Bulging fontanelles (the soft spots of the baby's skull) Bulging fontanellesA bulging fontanelle is an outward curving of an infant's soft spot (fontanelle).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Separated sutures (the areas where growing skull bones join) Feeding problems Seizures High-pitched cry, irritability Increased head size (circumference) Increased sleepiness or lethargy LethargyFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Persistent vomiting Exams and Tests Get medical help right away after a head injury. Do not delay. Older adults should receive medical care if they show signs of memory problems or mental decline, even if they don't seem to have an injury.Your health care provider will ask about your medical history. Your physical exam will include a careful check of your brain and nervous system for problems with:Balance Coordination Mental functions Sensation Strength Walking If there is any suspicion of a hematoma, an imaging test, such as a CT or MRI scan, will be done.CTA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI scanA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment A subdural hematoma is an emergency condition.Emergency surgery may be needed to reduce pressure within the brain. This may involve drilling a small hole in the skull to drain any blood and relieve pressure on the brain. Large hematomas or solid blood clots may need to be removed through a procedure called a craniotomy, which creates a larger opening in the skull.CraniotomyBrain surgery is an operation to treat problems in the brain and surrounding structures.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Medicines that may be used depend on the type of subdural hematoma, how severe the symptoms are, and how much brain damage has occurred. Medicines may include:Diuretics (often given intravenously) and corticosteroids to reduce swelling Anti-seizure medicines to control or prevent seizures Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook depends on the type and location of head injury, the size of the blood collection, and how soon treatment is started.Acute subdural hematomas have high rates of death and brain injury. Chronic subdural hematomas have better outcomes in most cases. Symptoms often go away after the blood collection is drained. Physical therapy is sometimes needed to help the person get back to their usual level of functioning.Seizures often occur at the time the hematoma forms, or up to months or years after treatment. But medicines can help control the seizures. Possible Complications Complications that may result include:Brain herniation (pressure on the brain severe enough to cause coma and death) Brain herniationBrain herniation is the shifting of the brain tissue from one space in the skull to another through various folds and openings.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ComaDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness in which...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Persistent symptoms such as memory loss, dizziness, headache, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating AnxietyStress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures Short-term or permanent weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking When to Contact a Medical Professional A subdural hematoma is a medical emergency. Call 911 or the local emergency number, or go to an emergency room after a head injury. Do not delay.Spinal injuries often occur with head injuries, so try to keep the person's neck still if you must move them before help arrives. Prevention Always use safety equipment at work and play to reduce your risk for a head injury. For example, use hard hats, bicycle or motorcycle helmets, and seat belts. Older individuals should be particularly careful to avoid falls.Open ReferencesReferencesKolias AG, Taisic T, Chari A, Hutchinson PJ, Santarius T. Medical and surgical management of chronic subdural hematomas. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 47.Papa L, Goldberg SA. Head trauma. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 33.Stippler M, Mahavadi A. Craniocerebral trauma. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 62.AllVideoImagesTogSubdural hematoma - illustration Subdural hematoma develops when tiny veins that are located between the membranes covering the brain (the meninges) leak blood after an injury to the head. This is a serious condition since the increase in intracranial pressure can cause damage to brain tissue and loss of brain function.Subdural hematomaillustrationIncreased intracranial pressure - illustration Increased intracranial pressure is almost always indicative of severe medical problems. The pressure itself can be responsible for further damage to the central nervous system by decreasing blood flow to the brain or by causing the brain to herniate (push through) the opening in the back of the skull where the spinal cord is attached. Causes of increased intracranial pressure may include bleeding into the subdural space (subdural hematoma).Increased intracranial pressureillustrationSubdural hematoma - illustration Subdural hematoma develops when tiny veins that are located between the membranes covering the brain (the meninges) leak blood after an injury to the head. This is a serious condition since the increase in intracranial pressure can cause damage to brain tissue and loss of brain function.Subdural hematomaillustrationIncreased intracranial pressure - illustration Increased intracranial pressure is almost always indicative of severe medical problems. The pressure itself can be responsible for further damage to the central nervous system by decreasing blood flow to the brain or by causing the brain to herniate (push through) the opening in the back of the skull where the spinal cord is attached. Causes of increased intracranial pressure may include bleeding into the subdural space (subdural hematoma).Increased intracranial pressureillustrationRelated Information Brain herniation(Condition)Dizziness(Symptoms)Headache(Symptoms)Stress and your health(Symptoms)Brain surgery - discharge(Discharge)Anxiety disorders - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 6/13/2024 Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Subdural hematoma Subdural hemorrhage; Traumatic brain injury - subdural hematoma; TBI - subdural hematoma; Head injury - subdural hematomaA subdural hematoma is a collection of blood between the covering of the brain (dura) and the surface of the brain. Causes A subdural hematoma is most often the result of a severe head injury. This type of subdural hematoma is among the deadliest of all head injuries. The bleeding fills the brain area very rapidly, compressing brain tissue. This often results in brain injury and may lead to death.With any subdural hematoma, tiny veins between the surface of the brain and its outer covering (the dura) stretch and tear, allowing blood to collect. In older adults, the veins are often already stretched because of brain shrinkage (atrophy) and are more easily injured.A chronic subdural hematoma is more often seen in older adults. This type of subdural hematoma may be due to blood that persists after an acute injury or the result of slowly leaking blood. These can occur after a minor head injury and may go unnoticed for many days.Chronic subdural hematomaA chronic subdural hematoma is an "old" collection of blood and blood breakdown products between the surface of the brain and its outermost covering ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Some subdural hematomas occur without cause (spontaneously).The following increase the risk for a subdural hematoma:Medicines that thin the blood (such as warfarin or aspirin) Long-term alcohol use Medical conditions that make your blood clot poorly Repeated head injury, such as from falls Very young or very old ageIn infants and young children, a subdural hematoma may occur after child abuse and are commonly seen in a condition called shaken baby syndrome.Shaken baby syndromeShaken baby syndrome is a severe form of child abuse caused by violently shaking an infant or child.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Depending on the size of the hematoma and where it presses on the brain, any of the following symptoms may occur:Drowsiness, confusion, or coma Decreased memory Problem speaking or swallowing SwallowingDifficulty with swallowing is the feeling that food or liquid is stuck in the throat or at any point before the food enters the stomach. This proble...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Problems with balance or walking Headache HeadacheA headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures or loss of consciousness SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea and vomiting Weakness or numbness of arms, legs, face Vision problems Vision problemsThere are many types of eye problems and vision disturbances, such as: Halos Blurred vision (the loss of sharpness of vision and the inability to see...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Behavioral changes or psychosisPsychosisPsychosis occurs when a person loses contact with reality. The person may: Have false beliefs about what is taking place, or who one is (delusions)S...Read Article Now Book Mark Article In infants, symptoms may include:Bulging fontanelles (the soft spots of the baby's skull) Bulging fontanellesA bulging fontanelle is an outward curving of an infant's soft spot (fontanelle).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Separated sutures (the areas where growing skull bones join) Feeding problems Seizures High-pitched cry, irritability Increased head size (circumference) Increased sleepiness or lethargy LethargyFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Persistent vomiting Exams and Tests Get medical help right away after a head injury. Do not delay. Older adults should receive medical care if they show signs of memory problems or mental decline, even if they don't seem to have an injury.Your health care provider will ask about your medical history. Your physical exam will include a careful check of your brain and nervous system for problems with:Balance Coordination Mental functions Sensation Strength Walking If there is any suspicion of a hematoma, an imaging test, such as a CT or MRI scan, will be done.CTA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI scanA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment A subdural hematoma is an emergency condition.Emergency surgery may be needed to reduce pressure within the brain. This may involve drilling a small hole in the skull to drain any blood and relieve pressure on the brain. Large hematomas or solid blood clots may need to be removed through a procedure called a craniotomy, which creates a larger opening in the skull.CraniotomyBrain surgery is an operation to treat problems in the brain and surrounding structures.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Medicines that may be used depend on the type of subdural hematoma, how severe the symptoms are, and how much brain damage has occurred. Medicines may include:Diuretics (often given intravenously) and corticosteroids to reduce swelling Anti-seizure medicines to control or prevent seizures Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook depends on the type and location of head injury, the size of the blood collection, and how soon treatment is started.Acute subdural hematomas have high rates of death and brain injury. Chronic subdural hematomas have better outcomes in most cases. Symptoms often go away after the blood collection is drained. Physical therapy is sometimes needed to help the person get back to their usual level of functioning.Seizures often occur at the time the hematoma forms, or up to months or years after treatment. But medicines can help control the seizures. Possible Complications Complications that may result include:Brain herniation (pressure on the brain severe enough to cause coma and death) Brain herniationBrain herniation is the shifting of the brain tissue from one space in the skull to another through various folds and openings.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ComaDecreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness and is often a serious condition. A coma is the most severe state of decreased alertness in which...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Persistent symptoms such as memory loss, dizziness, headache, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating AnxietyStress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Seizures Short-term or permanent weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking When to Contact a Medical Professional A subdural hematoma is a medical emergency. Call 911 or the local emergency number, or go to an emergency room after a head injury. Do not delay.Spinal injuries often occur with head injuries, so try to keep the person's neck still if you must move them before help arrives. Prevention Always use safety equipment at work and play to reduce your risk for a head injury. For example, use hard hats, bicycle or motorcycle helmets, and seat belts. Older individuals should be particularly careful to avoid falls.Open ReferencesReferencesKolias AG, Taisic T, Chari A, Hutchinson PJ, Santarius T. Medical and surgical management of chronic subdural hematomas. In: Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 47.Papa L, Goldberg SA. Head trauma. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 33.Stippler M, Mahavadi A. Craniocerebral trauma. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 62.
