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Epidural Hematoma

Aka: Epidural Hematoma

Pathophysiology
1. Middle Meningeal Artery rupture
Signs: Pathognomonic Presentation
1. Loss of consciousness
2. Period of lucency interspersed between 2 distinct periods of LOC (variable timing)
3. Loss of consciousness
Symptoms
1. Headache
2. Vomiting
Signs: Transtentorial bleed findings
1. Contralateral Hemiparesis
2. Ipsilateral fixed and dilated pupil (Cranial Nerve III palsy)
Imaging: CT Head
1. Focal area of bleeding in territory of middle meningeal artery (contrast with subdural which can extend fully anterior to posterior)
2. Convex appearance on CT (contrast with concave in Subdural Hematoma)
Precautions
1. Epidural Hemorrhage may be rapidly fatal
Management
1. Rapid assessment and management is key
2. Emergent surgical decompression

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 9/21/2011 and last published on 5/14/2013.

This is one of 5887 pages in the Family Practice Notebook