Epidural/Subdural Hematoma

By: Rachel & Mhina

Epidural Hematoma

• A type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in which a buildup of blood occurs between the dura mater (the tough outer membrane of the central nervous system) and the skull.

• May also occur in the spinal column.

Subdural Hematoma

• A form of traumatic brain injury in which Blood gathers within the outermost meningeal layer, between the dura mater, which adheres to the skull, and the arachnoid mater, which envelops the brain.

Parts Affected

• Epidural Hematoma:– Skull– Spine

• Subdural Hematoma:– Skull

Causes

• Epidural Hematoma:– Severe head injuries– Mild head injuries to the

temporal area– Shaken baby syndrome

• Subdural Hematoma:– Severe head injuries– Mild head injuries to the

temporal area– Shaken baby syndrome– May be spontaneous– Caused by procedure

(lumbar puncture)

Therapy

• Neurological Examination• Blood may be removed my surgery• prognosis is better if there was a lucid interval (a

period of consciousness before coma returns) than if the patient was comatose from the time of injury. Unlike most forms of TBI, people with epidural hematoma and a Glasgow Coma Score of 3 (the lowest score) are expected to make a good outcome if they can receive surgery quickly

Outcome

• Epidural Hematoma: – Prognosis is better if there was a lucid interval (a

period of consciousness before coma returns) than if the patient was comatose from the time of injury.

– People with epidural hematoma are expected to make a good outcome if they can receive surgery quickly

– Between 15 and 20 percent of patients with epidural hematomas die.

Outcome

• Subdural Hematoma:– Can expand progressively to the point of causing symptoms

like headache, slurred speech, confusion, lethargy, unsteadiness or even a seizure.

– Surgery to remove the hematoma and stop the bleeding is the typical treatment, and 93 to 97% of patients survive to 30 days after surgery. Most regain their pre-injury level of function.

– This type of traumatic brain injury may cause an increase in intracranial pressure, which can cause compression of and damaging to delicate brain tissue.