Acute subdural haematoma refers to the sudden development of a blood clot on the surface of the brain, as a result of a head injury. In some patients, for example those on warfarin or who have poor blood clotting, the head injury may be relatively minor.
TREATMENT
Very small acute subdural haematomas can be managed non-operatively. Serial CT scanning is used to check the blood clot is decreasing in size.
Larger acute subdural haematomas should be drained surgically, via a craniotomy.
PROGNOSIS
The prognosis, or outcome, following a subdural haematoma depends on several factors which include:
- How quickly the haematoma was surgically evacuated – the earlier the better, in general
- The severity of the associated brain injury