Epidural hematoma pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pathophysiology
Epidural hematoma is when bleeding occurs between the tough outer membrane covering the brain (dura mater), and the skull. Often there is loss of consciousness following a head injury, a brief regaining of consciousness, and then loss of consciousness again. Other symptoms may include headache, confusion, vomiting, and an inability to move parts of the body. Complications may include seizures.
The cause is typically head injury that results in a break of the temporal bone and bleeding from the middle meningeal artery. Occasionally it can occur as a result of a bleeding disorder or blood vessel malformation. Diagnosis is typically by a CT scan or MRI. When this condition occurs in the spine it is known as a spinal epidural hematoma.
Epidural hematoma commonly results from a blow to the side of the head and is frequently caused by a fracture that passes through an arterial channel in the bone, most commonly a break in temporal bone interrupting middle meningeal artery, a branch of the external carotid.[1] Thus only 20 to 30% of epidural hematomas occur outside the region of the temporal bone.[2]
References
- ↑ Shepherd S. 2004. "Head Trauma." Emedicine.com. Retrieved on February 6, 2007.
- ↑ Graham DI and Gennareli TA. Chapter 5, "Pathology of Brain Damage After Head Injury" Cooper P and Golfinos G. 2000. Head Injury, 4th Ed. Morgan Hill, New York.