EPIDURAL VS. SUBDURAL BLEED

Updated 1/25

                           Epidural vs. subdural bleed

Scenario 1: Tim was on a ladder at work.
He lost his balance and fell to the ground.

He will later be diagnosed with an epidural bleed. 

Scenario 2 :Mrs. A has a history of alcohol
ingestion in excess. She has been falling
a lot. She is now unconscious.

Meningeal coverings and  Epidural vs. subdural bleed

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 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.