Extradural Hemorrhage
Alternate Names : Epidural Hematoma, Extradural Hematoma
DefinitionExtradural hemorrhage is a disorder caused by bleeding between the inner skull wall and the outer membrane covering the brain, called the "dura mater" (which literally means "tough mother") or "dura."
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
About 10% of brain injuries are moderate to severe. An even smaller proportion involve extradural (epidural) hemorrhage. This type of bleeding is more common in young people because the membrane covering the brain is not as firmly attached to the skull as it is in older people.
An extradural hemorrhage occurs when there is a rupture of a blood vessel, usually an artery, which then bleeds into the space between the "dura mater" and the skull. The affected vessels are often torn by skull fractures.
This is most often the result of a severe head injury, such as those caused by motorcycle or automobile accidents. Extradural hemorrhages can be caused by venous bleeding in young children.
Rapid bleeding causes a collection of blood (hematoma) that presses on the brain, causing a rapid increase of the pressure inside the head (intracranial pressure), which may result in additional brain injury.
An extradural hemorrhage is an emergency because it may lead to permanent brain damage and death if left untreated. There may be a rapid worsening within minutes to hours, from drowsiness to coma and death.
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