Intracranial Hematoma: What Is It And How Is It Treated?

An intracranial hematoma is often life-threatening. And while many of them may be small, developments need to be monitored. It is not a condition to be taken lightly, nor should it be seen as just another symptom.

This problem develops when blood accumulates inside the skull bones. The location of this blood clot varies and the clinical picture will change according to these positions.

One of the problems with these hematomas is the pressure they generate on a sensitive organ, such as the brain. This increased voltage damages the neurons and complicates their function.

The mild form of intracranial hematoma is the one that manifests itself with a concussion. That is, a brief loss of consciousness with complete recovery. However, severe forms can also occur, resulting in the death of the patient.

Accumulation of blood originates from a ruptured blood vessel in the skull. This can be broken by trauma or spontaneous rupture of an artery, for example in cases of congenital malformations.

Types of intracranial hematomas

According to their location in the skull, there are three types of intracranial hematomas.

Subdural hematoma

The subdural hematoma is located below the dura mater, which is one of the layers of the connective tissue membranes. In the process, one or more blood vessels rupture, bringing the blood collection to the region where it is trapped. If the size is large, there is a serious danger to life.

When it is acute, the risk is greater. This is the case that classically appears immediately after a blow. Symptoms come on quickly and are usually quite obvious with loss of consciousness, nausea, cramps and pain.

Another type is subacute subdural hematoma, which gradually forms and shows symptoms within days or weeks. And the last is chronic subdural hematoma, which can last for several months. The latter usually starts imperceptibly and develops without being noticed.

Epidural hematoma

This intracranial hematoma is located between the dura mater and the skull, in the outer part of the brain, we can say. It is the blood collection that is closest to the outside.

The classic cause is trauma, and the complication is the inward pressure it exerts. It is very common for patients with this type to go through different stages of loss of consciousness.

Intracerebral hematoma

Also known as intraparenchymal hematoma. It is located in the brain tissue, in the middle of the neurons, hence its name. It can stem from trauma, but also when stroke occurs due to ruptures in arteries or the presence of a congenital malformation.

Some brain tumors are also responsible for this clinical picture. The treatment of them is more complicated because it involves a difficult position with serious risks of sequelae.

Treatment of intracranial hematoma

When doctors detect an intracranial hematoma, they determine its size and position. This is achieved by imaging techniques such as CT or MRI.

If the intracranial hematoma is small, does not exert pressure, and the patient’s symptoms are stable, no specific treatment is recommended. In addition, guidelines are given and the patient is usually monitored again after a period of time.

In larger, life-threatening cases, doctors plan surgery. There are two approaches: Local drainage or craniotomy. Localized drainage is designed to have the least possible impact on the skull.

For this purpose, a surgeon will make a minimal hole in the skull to insert a probe and drain the blood from the hematoma. In large lesions it is not possible and doctors use a craniotomy with an open opening of the bones.

What to do if you suspect an intracranial hematoma

If we have experienced a head injury or are suffering from symptoms that make us suspect brain problems, it would be ideal to contact a doctor immediately. As we have just said, it can be serious health problems that are life threatening.

Healthcare professionals will perform complementary methods to determine the presence of an intracranial hematoma, its size and position. Based on this, they can schedule surgery, drainage or periodic checkup.

Patients taking blood-thinning medications should pay special attention as it is an aggravating factor for hematomas that aggravates the picture. The physician treating these patients should know from the outset that the patient is taking these medicines.

A timely consultation can be life-saving. Therefore, it is important not to delay care in these cases. Finally, an intracranial hematoma is a medical emergency and you should treat it accordingly.