What Is Epidural Hemorrhage?
Epidural hemorrhage usually occurs as a result of a head injury that causes rupture of a blood vessel located above the dura mater, the outermost of the three membrane layers covering the brain. It often develops after trauma in which a skull fracture is present. In cases where the fracture line passes over an artery, the vessel tears and a large amount of blood leaks into the narrow space between the brain and the skull. As more blood collects, the pressure on the brain increases. As a result, blood leaks between the dura mater and the skull, and a clotted collection of blood (hematoma) forms, putting pressure on the brain.
Symptoms of Epidural Hemorrhage
Patients may appear well at first but can deteriorate rapidly during follow-up.
Symptoms appear within minutes or a few hours after the injury. Sudden and severe headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, confusion, and increasing drowsiness are among the symptoms. If left untreated, an epidural hemorrhage may lead to permanent brain damage and even death. Very rapid diagnosis and emergency treatment are important.
