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Subdural hematoma

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Subdural hemorrhage

Symptoms:

• Recent head injury
• Loss of consciousness after head injury
• Headache
• Weakness
• Numbness
• Can't speak
• Slurred speech
• Nausea and vomiting
• Lethargy
• Seizures

In infants:

• Bulging fontanelles
• Increased head circumference
• Separated sutures
• Irritability
• High-pitched cry
• Focal seizures
• Generalized tonic-clonic seizure

Signs and tests:

Always get medical help after a head injury. Older persons should receive medical care if they shows signs of memory problems or mental decline. An exam should include a complete neurologic exam.

Your doctor may order a brain imaging study if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Weakness
• Numbness
• Inability to speak
• Slurred speech
• Persistent headache
• Abnormal level of consciousness
• Recent cognitive decline in an elderly person, even without of head injury

A CT scan or MRI scan would likely be done to evaluate for the presence of a subdural hematoma.

• Review Date: 7/14/2006
• Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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