SUBDURAL HEMATOMA

Course overview

A SUBDURAL HEMATOMA, AS ITS NAME IMPLIES, FORMS BECAUSE OF AN ABNORMAL COLLECTION OF BLOOD UNDER THE DURA MATER. THIS IS ONE OF THE INTRACRANIAL INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA, ESPECIALLY IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS. A SMALL BLEED MAY RESOLVE SPONTANEOUSLY. HOWEVER, A LARGER BLEED MAY INCREASE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRIDGING VEINS AND LEAD TO AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF BLOOD AROUND THE BRAIN, ULTIMATELY LEADING TO HERNIATION OF THE CEREBRAL STRUCTURES. THIS ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN CARING FOR PATIENTS WITH THIS SUBDURAL HEMATOMA.