Condition Lookup

Epidural hematoma

Sub-category: Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage

Symptoms:
loss of consciousness followed by a period of lucidity; severe headache; nausea and vomiting; seizures; focal neurological deficits (e.g., weakness, numbness); increased intracranial pressure (icp), causing confusion or stupor

Root Cause:
Bleeding between the dura mater and the skull, often caused by trauma that ruptures an arterial vessel (commonly the middle meningeal artery).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
CT scan of the head is the diagnostic test of choice, revealing a lens-shaped mass outside the brain.

Treatment:
Surgical intervention to evacuate the hematoma (craniotomy or burr hole drainage) if there is significant mass effect or neurological deterioration. Monitoring in the ICU for signs of worsening intracranial pressure (ICP).

Medications:
Analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen , opioids) for pain relief. Mannitol (osmotic diuretic) to reduce intracranial pressure. Anticonvulsants (e.g., levetiracetam ) to prevent seizures. Sedatives and analgesics (e.g., midazolam , morphine ) for comfort in severe cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Relatively rare, but represents 1-3% of all traumatic brain injuries (TBI). More common in young adults due to higher incidence of head trauma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Head trauma, especially involving high-energy impacts (e.g., motor vehicle accidents, falls). Use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. Skull fractures, particularly temporal bone fractures.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With early diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis is generally good, though outcomes depend on the size of the hematoma and the timeliness of surgical intervention. Delayed treatment can result in neurological deficits or death due to brain herniation.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Brain herniation (due to increased ICP). Neurological deficits, including paralysis or cognitive impairment. Seizures. Infection at the surgical site or meningitis if untreated.

Subdural hematoma

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Head and Neck Injuries

Sub-category: Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage

Symptoms:
headache; drowsiness or confusion; slurred speech; hemiparesis (weakness on one side); seizures; nausea and vomiting

Root Cause:
Bleeding between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater, often due to a tear in the bridging veins caused by trauma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
CT scan of the head, showing a crescent-shaped hemorrhage that crosses sutures.

Treatment:
Surgical drainage (craniotomy or burr hole) for larger hematomas or if symptoms worsen. Observation in mild cases without significant mass effect.

Medications:
Pain relief with acetaminophen or opioids. Anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin or levetiracetam ) to prevent seizures. Mannitol to reduce ICP if necessary.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
More common than epidural hematomas and seen in 10-20% of severe TBIs.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced age (more fragile bridging veins). Use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. Alcoholism (increased likelihood of falls and liver dysfunction).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on hematoma size, severity, and timeliness of surgical intervention. Elderly patients have a poorer prognosis due to slower recovery and increased comorbidities.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Brain herniation. Long-term neurological impairment. Post-traumatic epilepsy.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Head and Neck Injuries

Sub-category: Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage

Symptoms:
sudden, severe headache ("thunderclap headache"); nausea and vomiting; neck stiffness; photophobia; loss of consciousness or altered mental state

Root Cause:
Bleeding in the subarachnoid space, usually from a ruptured aneurysm or trauma causing blood to leak into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
CT scan of the head, which may show blood in the subarachnoid space. If CT is negative, lumbar puncture may reveal blood in the CSF.

Treatment:
Emergency neurosurgical intervention, including clipping or coiling of the ruptured aneurysm. Supportive care, including managing blood pressure and preventing vasospasm.

Medications:
Analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen ) for pain management. Nimodipine (a calcium channel blocker) to prevent vasospasm. Anticonvulsants (e.g., levetiracetam ) if seizures occur.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in about 6-7 cases per 100,000 people annually.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of aneurysms. Hypertension. Smoking and alcohol use. Certain genetic conditions (e.g., polycystic kidney disease).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis varies based on severity, timing of intervention, and overall health of the individual. High mortality rate if untreated, but with early treatment, many individuals recover.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Vasospasm leading to delayed ischemic injury. Hydrocephalus. Seizures.

Intracerebral hemorrhage

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Head and Neck Injuries

Sub-category: Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage

Symptoms:
sudden severe headache; loss of consciousness or altered mental state; hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body); nausea and vomiting; speech difficulties; seizures

Root Cause:
Bleeding within the brain tissue, often due to a ruptured artery or arteriovenous malformation, commonly following trauma.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
CT scan or MRI of the brain to visualize the hemorrhage.

Treatment:
Surgical intervention if the hematoma is large or causing significant pressure on the brain. Medical management of blood pressure and coagulation status. Neuroprotective strategies to manage increased intracranial pressure (ICP).

Medications:
Antihypertensives to control blood pressure (e.g., labetalol ). Anticoagulant reversal agents (e.g., vitamin K, fresh frozen plasma) if the patient is on blood thinners. Osmotic agents like mannitol for reducing ICP. Anticonvulsants (e.g., levetiracetam ) if seizures occur.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Represents about 10-15% of all strokes.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Hypertension. Anticoagulant use. Alcohol abuse. Brain tumors or arteriovenous malformations.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Prognosis depends on the size and location of the hemorrhage, as well as the patient's overall health. Many individuals experience permanent neurological deficits, especially if the hemorrhage is large or in critical areas of the brain.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Brain herniation. Long-term neurological deficits, such as motor or cognitive impairments. Seizures.