Brain Injury Lawyer FAQ» Brain Injury Lawyer FAQ: Hematoma

How serious is a subdural hematoma?

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:16:25 +0000

It is generally felt that a patient with a clot thickness greater than 10mm should undergo surgical evacuation, regardless of their level of consciousness. Non-comatose patients with a clot thickness less than 10mm may not need surgery.

What is a subdural hematoma (SDH) and what is it caused by?

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:15:46 +0000

An SDH is diagnosed when there is a collection of blood inside the skull, but also inside the dura. The collection is therefore between the dura and the outer most brain tissue itself. What causes a SDH? The source of the bleed can be from damage to the brain itself (a focal lesion or tear of tissues), damage to a vein or damage to delicate tissue inside the dura. Between 10% and 30% of patients admitted to a hospital with severe TBI suffer from SDH. They are more common with an older patient resulting from a fall.

What are the symptoms of EDH in TBI patients?

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:13:32 +0000

These patients are often ones who have symptoms including a “lucid interval” which means they are struck in the head and have a short period of initial unconsciousness, wake up and seem better then seem to deteriorate. This is because of the gradual accumulation of blood in this area which presses on the brain over time.

What is an epidural hematoma (EDH)?

admin — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:12:29 +0000

An epidural hematoma (EDH) is a collection of blood which occurs below the skull but above the thick leathery cover of the brain itself known as the Dura.