What causes epidural hematoma?
An epidural hematoma (EDH) occurs when blood accumulates between the skull and the dura mater, the thick membrane covering the brain. They typically occur when a skull fracture tears an underlying blood vessel. EDHs are about half as common as a subdural hematomas and usually occur in young adults.
What is the most common cause of an epidural hematoma?
Epidural hematomas are the direct result of physical trauma to the head. Some of the most likely causes of an epidural hematoma include: head injury from a contact sport, such as football or rugby. car accident.
What area of the brain is affected by an epidural hematoma?
In adults, up to 75% of EDHs occur in the temporal region. However, in children, they occur with similar frequency in the temporal, occipital, frontal, and posterior fossa regions. A skull fracture is present in the majority of patients with EDH.
What is the main source of bleeding in epidural hematomas?
Blood vessels in close proximity to the fracture are the sources of the hemorrhage in the formation of an epidural hematoma. Because the underlying brain has usually been minimally injured, prognosis is excellent if treated aggressively.
Is an epidural hematoma a stroke?
Background: Cervical epidural hematoma is an important stroke mimic, because intravenous thrombolysis may worsen bleeding. This condition may not be aparent upon first imaging modalities, or their evaluations particularly in the context of rapid decision-making situations such as during an acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
Can an epidural cause brain damage?
An epidural hematoma can put pressure on your brain and cause it to swell. As it swells, your brain may shift in your skull. Pressure on and damage to your brain’s tissues can affect your vision, speech, mobility, and consciousness. If left untreated, an epidural hematoma can cause lasting brain damage and even death.
Is epidural hemorrhage an emergency?
Epidural hematoma is a surgical emergency. Delayed surgery can result in permanent brain damage or death. Without surgery, death usually follows, due to enlargement of the hematoma, causing a brain herniation.
Where does an epidural hematoma usually occur in the skull?
Epidural hematomas are most often located in the temporal region and often result from tearing of the middle meningeal vessels due to a temporal bone fracture. Venous epidural hematomas may occur as a result of a skull fracture or an associated venous sinus injury. These tend to be smaller and usually have a more benign course.
What causes an extradural hematoma in the posterior fossa?
Although most extradural hematomas in the posterior fossa are due to temporal bone fractures involving the middle meningeal artery, in the setting of occipital trauma, particularly fractures of the occipital bone, venous hemorrhage is more common 18).
When does an extradural hematoma cross a suture?
It is important to realize that in the setting of sutural diastasis, extradural hematomas can cross sutures, as the continuation of the parietal (periosteal) component of the dura through the suture – which usually limits spread – is likely also to be disrupted.
When to evacuate an epidural hematoma after surgery?
Epidural Hematomas. Such hematomas often present several hours or days after the initial injury and can be managed nonsurgically. However, usually an epidural hematoma represents a surgical emergency and should be evacuated as rapidly as possible. Every effort should be made to relieve the pressure as soon as possible.