How serious is an epidural hematoma?

How serious is an epidural hematoma?

An epidural hematoma can put pressure on your brain and cause it to swell. As it swells, your brain may shift in your skull. Pressure on and damage to your brain’s tissues can affect your vision, speech, mobility, and consciousness. If left untreated, an epidural hematoma can cause lasting brain damage and even death.

Who is at risk for epidural hematoma?

Increased age, history of GI bleeding, aspirin use during anticoagulation, length of therapy, female gender, and intensity of anticoagulant effect (ie INR 2-3 less likely to cause major bleeding than INR >4)are all known risk factors for bleeding during anticoagulation and also increase the risk of an epidural hematoma …

What are the signs and symptoms of an epidural hematoma?

Symptoms

• Confusion.
• Dizziness.
• Drowsiness or altered level of alertness.
• Enlarged pupil in one eye.
• Headache (severe)
• Head injury or trauma followed by loss of consciousness, a period of alertness, then rapid deterioration back to unconsciousness.
• Nausea or vomiting.

Is epidural hematoma fatal?

Epidural hematoma is a surgical emergency. Delayed surgery can result in permanent brain damage or death. Without surgery, death usually follows, due to enlargement of the hematoma, causing a brain herniation.

Do all epidural hematomas need surgery?

Not all cases of acute EDH require immediate surgical evacuation. If a lesion is small and the patient is in good neurological condition, observing the patient with frequent neurological examinations is reasonable.

Can you recover from epidural hematoma?

In adults, most recovery occurs in the first 6 months. Usually there is some improvement over 2 years. If there is brain damage, full recovery isn’t likely.

How common is epidural hematoma?

Spinal epidural hematoma affects 1 per 1,000,000 people annually. Alcohol and other forms of intoxication have been associated with a higher incidence of epidural hematoma.

Is epidural hematoma a stroke?

Background: Cervical epidural hematoma is an important stroke mimic, because intravenous thrombolysis may worsen bleeding. This condition may not be aparent upon first imaging modalities, or their evaluations particularly in the context of rapid decision-making situations such as during an acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

When is surgery needed for epidural hematoma?

Surgical intervention is recommended in patients with: Acute EDH. Hematoma volume greater than 30 ml regardless of Glasgow coma scale score (GCS) GCS less than 9 with pupillary abnormalities like anisocoria.