EPIDURAL OR SUBDURAL BLEEDING

Updated 4/24

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The Clinical Setting Step by Step is no longer available.

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Subarachnoid hemorrhage

for more updated information.

An epidural bleed is an arterial bleed. The patient
has a brief period of unconsciousness following injury. 
He then becomes lucid and quickly progresses to unconsciousness
and possible coma. A common site for injury is the meningeal
artery which runs close to the surface, behind the ear.

A subdural bleed ( hematoma) is venous and progresses slowly.
 The patient may not experience any symptoms for a few days.
It may even become chronic. 

Suspect a subdural bleed , if the patient had a fall / head injury 

and was initially okay, then later becomes unconscious. It is 

common in alcoholics.

                      Learn more about:  Subarachnoid hemorrhage