User:Mr. Ibrahem/Subdural hematoma

A subdural hematoma (SDH) is when a collection of blood forms between the inner layer of the dura mater and the arachnoid mater of the meninges surrounding the brain. Symptoms may include headache, confusion, personality change, and loss of consciousness. Complications may include brain herniation and seizures.

It usually results from a traumatic brain injury when a tear occurs in a bridging vein that cross the subdural space. In children trauma may occur accidentally or intentionally. No trauma related causes include blood thinners, aneurysms, brain tumors, following lumbar puncture, and spontaneous. Alcoholism is a risk factor. Diagnosis is generally by CT scan.

Treatment may involve surgery especially if the bleed is sudden in onset and large in size. Surgery typically involves a craniotomy or burr holes. Small subdurals may be closely monitored.

Acute subdurals affect between 5 and 25% of people with a severe head injury. Chronic subdurals affected about 3 per 100,000 people per year. They occur more commonly in the young and old. Acute subdural hematomas may result in death in 50 to 90% of cases. Subacute and chronic subdurals are associated with better outcomes.