In subdural hemorrhage blood leaks from vessels in the dura mater, the outermost of the three meninges, or membranous layersthat cover the brain. It differs from extradural hemorrhage in that the ruptured blood vessels are on the underside, rather than the outside, of the dura mater. Because these inner vessels are smaller than the outer ones, less blood is likely to leak out. The blood tends to seep quite slowly into the space between the dura mater and the arachnoid (the middle of the three meninges), and causes a hematoma, or collection of blood.Among eventual symptoms of subdural hemorrhage are drowsiness, confusion weakness or numbness down one side of the body, and persistent or recurrent headaches and nausea. During a period of days or weeks such symptoms may come and go, but they will gradually become worse.
Subdural hemorrhage occurs as a result of a head injury . It occurs most often in elderly people who have fallen. These people have sometimes forgotten about the accident by the time symptoms develop.
What Should be Done?
Consult your physician without delay if you develop the symptoms described above. Because they are similar to those of a minor stroke , be sure to tell the physician that you have recently injured your head, even if only slightly, if you remember any such incident. If any member of your family shows signs of mental deterioration and abnormal drowsiness, be sure that they see a physician. The affected person will probably be admitted to the hospital for diagnostic tests such as X-rays, arteriography, a radioisotope scan, and possibly a brain scan (known as CA T scan) to determine the cause of the symptoms. If the problem is diagnosed as subdural hemorrhage, treatment and chances for full recovery are similar to those of extradural hemorrhage .
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