Subdural Hematomas and the Help of Computed Tomography

Subdural hematomas can occur at any age but are most commonly seen in the elderly population. Subdural hematomas affects 21 in every 100,000 individuals, and are becoming more common. They can occur for a variety of reasons such as trauma or underlying health conditions. Subdural hematomas occur due to a collection of blood in the subdural space between the dura and arachnoid mater. Computed tomography is the best imaging modality in the aiding of diagnosing subdural hematomas due to the easy accessibility, short scan times, and the ability to create cross sectional images. Subdural hematomas can be classified into categories based on the location and appearance of the bleed. These classifications can include acute, subacute, and chronic. Dependent on the location and diagnosis of the subdural hematoma non-surgical intervention such as monitoring, or medication may be needed. Surgical intervention may be needed based on the severity of the bleed and its classification. If a subdural hematoma is caught in a timely manner with successful intervention there is a lower chance of reoccurrence, there is a 3% to 20% post-operative reoccurrence rate. The overall prognosis is patient dependent and considers the size and classification of the bleed.https://digitalcommons.misericordia.edu/medimg_seniorposters/1051/thumbnail.jp