Epidural hematoma history and symptoms: Difference between revisions
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== History and symptoms == | == History and symptoms == | ||
* The most important symptoms of an extradural hemorrhage are: | |||
:* [[Confusion (patient information)|Confusion]] | |||
:* [[Dizziness (patient information)|Dizziness]] | |||
:* Drowsiness or altered level of alertness | |||
:* Enlarged pupil in one eye | |||
:* [[Headache (patient information)|Headache]] (severe) | |||
:* Head injury or trauma followed by [[loss of consciousness]], an period of alertness, then rapid deterioration back to unconsciousness | |||
:* [[Nausea]] and/or [[vomiting]] | |||
:* Weakness of part of the body, usually on the opposite side from the side with the enlarged pupil | |||
* The symptoms usually occur within minutes to hours after a head injury and indicate an emergency situation. | |||
As the hematoma expands, it strips the dura from the inside of the skull, causing an intense headache. Epidural bleeds can become large and raise [[intracranial pressure]], causing the brain to shift, lose blood supply, or be crushed against the skull. Larger hematomas cause more damage. Epidural bleeds can quickly expand and compress the brain stem, causing [[coma|unconsciousness]], [[abnormal posturing]], and abnormal [[pupil]] responses to light.<ref name="singh Stock">Singh J and Stock A. 2006. [http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic929.htm "Head Trauma."] Emedicine.com. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.</ref> | As the hematoma expands, it strips the dura from the inside of the skull, causing an intense headache. Epidural bleeds can become large and raise [[intracranial pressure]], causing the brain to shift, lose blood supply, or be crushed against the skull. Larger hematomas cause more damage. Epidural bleeds can quickly expand and compress the brain stem, causing [[coma|unconsciousness]], [[abnormal posturing]], and abnormal [[pupil]] responses to light.<ref name="singh Stock">Singh J and Stock A. 2006. [http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic929.htm "Head Trauma."] Emedicine.com. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.</ref> | ||
Revision as of 16:50, 22 August 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
History and symptoms
- The most important symptoms of an extradural hemorrhage are:
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness or altered level of alertness
- Enlarged pupil in one eye
- Headache (severe)
- Head injury or trauma followed by loss of consciousness, an period of alertness, then rapid deterioration back to unconsciousness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Weakness of part of the body, usually on the opposite side from the side with the enlarged pupil
- The symptoms usually occur within minutes to hours after a head injury and indicate an emergency situation.
As the hematoma expands, it strips the dura from the inside of the skull, causing an intense headache. Epidural bleeds can become large and raise intracranial pressure, causing the brain to shift, lose blood supply, or be crushed against the skull. Larger hematomas cause more damage. Epidural bleeds can quickly expand and compress the brain stem, causing unconsciousness, abnormal posturing, and abnormal pupil responses to light.[1] In the hallmark of epidural hematoma, patients may regain consciousness during what is called a lucid interval, only to descend suddenly and rapidly into unconsciousness later. The lucid interval, which depends on the extent of the injury, is a key to diagnosing epidural hemorrhage. If the patient is not treated with prompt surgical intervention, death is likely to follow.[2]
References
- ↑ Singh J and Stock A. 2006. "Head Trauma." Emedicine.com. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.
- ↑ Caroline NL. 1991. Emergency Medical Treatment. Little Brown & Company.