Subdural Hematoma
A subdural hematoma is bleeding between the brain surface and the membrane covering it, often after head injury or in older patients.
When to get help quickly: Urgent review is important after head injury if there is worsening headache, vomiting, confusion, weakness, seizures, fainting, or unusual drowsiness.
Common symptoms
Symptoms can include headache, drowsiness, confusion, weakness on one side, slurred speech, vomiting, balance problems, or personality and memory changes, sometimes hours or even weeks after a head injury.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps confirm the bleed, show how much pressure it is putting on the brain, and determine whether it looks acute, subacute, or chronic.
What radiology does
CT is often the first imaging test because it quickly shows the blood and any pressure effect on the brain.
What usually happens next
Treatment ranges from monitoring to urgent neurosurgical drainage depending on size, symptoms, and brain compression.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.