Epidural hematoma natural history, complications and prognosis: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Vishnu Vardhan Serla (talk | contribs)
No edit summary
Vishnu Vardhan Serla (talk | contribs)
Line 15: Line 15:
== Complications ==
== Complications ==


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> Epidural hematomas may occur in combination with subdural hematomas, or either may occur alone.<ref name="Shepherd"/> CT scans reveal subdural or epidural hematomas in 20% of unconscious patients.<ref name="Downie">Downie A. 2001. [http://www.radiology.co.uk/srs-x/tutors/cttrauma/tutor.htm "Tutorial: CT in Head Trauma"]. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.</ref>
* There is a risk of permanent brain injury whether the disorder is treated or untreated. Symptoms (such as seizures) may persist for several months, even after treatment, but in time they usually become less frequent or disappear completely. [[Seizure (patient information)|Seizures]] may begin as many as 2 years after the injury.
 
* In adults, most recovery occurs in the first 6 months, with some improvement over approximately 2 years. Children usually recover more quickly and completely than adults.
 
* Incomplete recovery is the result of brain damage. Other complications include permanent symptoms (such as [[paralysis]] or loss of sensation, which began at the time of the injury), herniation of the brain (which may result in permanent [[Coma (patient information)|coma]]), and [[Normal pressure hydrocephalus (patient information)|normal pressure hydrocephalus]] (excess fluid in the cavities of the brain).
 
*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> Epidural hematomas may occur in combination with subdural hematomas, or either may occur alone.<ref name="Shepherd"/> CT scans reveal subdural or epidural hematomas in 20% of unconscious patients.<ref name="Downie">Downie A. 2001. [http://www.radiology.co.uk/srs-x/tutors/cttrauma/tutor.htm "Tutorial: CT in Head Trauma"]. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.</ref>


== Prognosis ==
== Prognosis ==

Revision as of 16:58, 22 August 2012


Epidural hematoma Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Epidural hematoma from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X-ray

Echocardiography and Ultrasound

CT scan

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Epidural hematoma natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Epidural hematoma natural history, complications and prognosis

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Epidural hematoma natural history, complications and prognosis

CDC on Epidural hematoma natural history, complications and prognosis

Epidural hematoma natural history, complications and prognosis in the news

Blogs on Epidural hematoma natural history, complications and prognosis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Psoriasis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Epidural hematoma natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Natural history

Epidural bleeds, like subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages, are extra-axial bleeds, occurring outside of the brain tissue, while intra-axial hemorrhages, including intraparenchymal and intraventricular hemorrhages, occur within it.[1] 10% of epidural bleeds may be venous.[2]

Epidural bleeding is rapid because it is usually from arteries, which are high pressure. Epidural bleeds from arteries can grow until they reach their peak size at six to eight hours post injury, spilling from 25 to 75 cubic centimeters of blood into the intracranial space.[3] As the hematoma expands, it strips the dura from the inside of the skull, causing an intense headache.

Complications

  • There is a risk of permanent brain injury whether the disorder is treated or untreated. Symptoms (such as seizures) may persist for several months, even after treatment, but in time they usually become less frequent or disappear completely. Seizures may begin as many as 2 years after the injury.
  • In adults, most recovery occurs in the first 6 months, with some improvement over approximately 2 years. Children usually recover more quickly and completely than adults.
  • Incomplete recovery is the result of brain damage. Other complications include permanent symptoms (such as paralysis or loss of sensation, which began at the time of the injury), herniation of the brain (which may result in permanent coma), and normal pressure hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the cavities of the brain).
  • 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.[4] Epidural hematomas may occur in combination with subdural hematomas, or either may occur alone.[2] CT scans reveal subdural or epidural hematomas in 20% of unconscious patients.[5]

Prognosis

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.[6]

Patient#1

Patient#2

Patient#3

References

  1. Wagner AL. 2006. "Subdural Hematoma." Emedicine.com. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Shepherd S. 2004. "Head Trauma." Emedicine.com. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.
  3. University of Vermont College of Medicine. "Neuropathology: Trauma to the CNS." Accessed through web archive. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.
  4. Singh J and Stock A. 2006. "Head Trauma." Emedicine.com. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.
  5. Downie A. 2001. "Tutorial: CT in Head Trauma". Retrieved on February 6, 2007.
  6. Caroline NL. 1991. Emergency Medical Treatment. Little Brown & Company.
  7. http://picasaweb.google.com/mcmumbi/USMLEIIImages

Template:WH

Template:WS