The human brain is protected by a cushioning layer of fluid as well as three protective layers of tissue enclosing it within the bony skull. Inside these layers of protection, the brain is a mass of delicate nerve cells responsible for controlling all bodily systems and serving as the center of human emotion and personality. Despite the protective layers, the brain is vulnerable to serious, life-altering, or deadly injuries from blunt-force trauma or powerful shaking or jarring. One of the most common traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) is a subdural hematoma, and those affected may want to consider their legal options with a St. Louis brain injury lawyer.
What Is a Subdural Hematoma?
When the brain suffers trauma from bumping or twisting inside the skull, tiny blood vessels may burst or tear, causing bleeding between the layers surrounding the brain. This is known as a subdural hemorrhage. When the blood pools inside the layers, it forms a subdural hematoma. Subdural hematomas place pressure on the brain, damaging sensitive bundles of nerve cells and disrupting their ability to function. A subdural hematoma is a life-threatening emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and emergency medical treatment.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Subdural Hematoma Injuries?
While some medical conditions and medical procedures can result in subdural hematomas, they most often occur from blunt force trauma. Car accidents are one of the most common causes of subdural hematomas, followed by these main causes:
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Falls from heights
- “Struck-by” injuries, such as being struck by falling shelves or a tree limb
- Contact sports injuries
- Recreational injuries, such as skiing or skating accidents
- Acts of physical violence
After any of the above accidents and injuries or after any blow to the head, it’s crucial to undergo a complete medical evaluation and watch for any signs of a brain injury, including a subdural hematoma.
Recognizing the Symptoms of a Subdural Hematoma
Subdural hematomas occur as intracranial bleeding builds up pressure from one or more pools of trapped blood against the brain. Often, this doesn’t happen immediately following a blow or powerful shake but slowly builds over minutes, hours, or even days after an injury. As pressure builds against the brain, the following symptoms may occur:
- Headache with increasing intensity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Confusion or altered mental state
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Vision problems such as blurred vision or double vision
- Slurred or slowed speech, difficulty remembering words
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness on one side of the body
- Difficulty with balance and coordination
- Memory and concentration problems
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness or coma
It’s imperative to seek medical treatment if you or a loved one experiences any of the above symptoms after suffering head trauma.
Treating Subdural Hematoma Injuries
Even a mild subdural hematoma requires careful monitoring and treatment with medications. Larger hematomas that cause symptoms of brain dysfunction require invasive medical treatment, including surgery to relieve the pressure on the brain. Surgeries for hematoma may include burr hole treatment to drain the hematoma, or a craniotomy to temporarily remove a larger section of the skull to allow surgeons to access the hematoma and use suction to remove the pooled blood. In some cases, surgery also addresses the artery supplying blood to the hematoma to slow or stop the blood flow to the damaged area. Subdural hematomas can lead to coma and brain death when left untreated. Treating a hematoma at the earliest possible stage minimizes damage to brain cells and decreases the chances of permanent neurological problems.