Subdural hematoma is a collection of blood underneath the dura, which is a thick membrane that lines the brain.
Epidural hematoma is a collection of blood on top of the dura.
Both subdural hematoma and epidural hematoma usually occur after some form of a blow to the head.
SYMPTOMS
Some of the symptoms include headache, blurry vision, nausea, vomiting, and/or weakness on one side of the body.
DIAGNOSIS
Subdural hematoma and epidural hematoma are usually diagnosed in the emergency room after an injury. Your emergency room physician usually obtains a history and physical examination that points to a possible subdural hematoma or epidural hematoma and obtains a CT scan of your brain. There is category of subdural hematomas called chronic subdural hematoma. This when the blood underneath the dura has been there a long time.
TREATMENT
Your neurosurgeon may determine that you require surgery. It can be a craniotomy or burr hole drainage. During a craniotomy your neurosurgeon removes a portion of the skull to get to the hematoma. During burr hole drainage your neurosurgeon tries to drain the hematoma by making one or several holes through the skull.
- Craniotomy for evacuation of subdural hematoma
- Craniotomy for evacuation of epidural hematoma
