You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page.
Turn on more accessible mode
Turn off more accessible mode
Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Turn off Animations
Turn on Animations
CTDetailNew
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.
Appointment
Find a Condition or Treatment
Find a Doctor
Menu
MAIN
Back to Home
About KKH
Corporate Profile
Newsroom
Procurement
Volunteering at KKH
Calendar of Events
Contact Us
Patient Care
Conditions & Treatments
Areas of Care
Your Clinic Visit
Your Hospital Stay
E-Services
Visitor Information
Research
KK Research Centre
Our Researchers
Clinical Trials
Publications
SingHealth Research
Innovation
About
Collaboration
Technology Transfer
Success Stories
Contact Us
Education & Training
Undergraduate
Residency
Continuing Education
Training & Fellowships
Events & Courses
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Why Choose Us
Career Choices
Job Opportunities
Scholarships & Sponsorships
Contact Us
Giving
Why Give
Get Involved
Your Gift at Work
Be Informed
Make a Gift
Conditions & Treatments
Back to Home
Conditions & Treatment
Find a Doctor
Medicines
Areas of Care
Back to Home
Find a Doctor
Women's Services
Children's Services
Allied Health Specialties
Nursing
Teleconsultation
Support Groups
Patient Education
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Your Clinic Visit
Back to Home
Before Your Visit
Appointment Day
During Your Visit
Going Home
Your Hospital Stay
Back to Home
Pre-Admission
Admission Day
During Your Stay
Going Home
Ward Virtual Tour
E-Services
Back to Home
Patient Billing Services
Make Your Payment Online
Make/Change Appointment
Financial Counselling Online
Estimated Bill Calculators
MediSave Maternity Package Claims
Request for Final Bill
Request For Medical Report Online
Health Buddy App
Visitor Information
Back to Home
Directions to KKH
Directions to KKH@Halifax
Directions to KKH Children's Emergency & Urgent O&G Centre
Moving around KKH
Visitor Registration
Amenities & Facilities
Contact Us
Home
to skip to the main content on a page
to skip to the main content on a page
About KKH
Back to Home
Corporate Profile
About KKH
Vision and Mission
Hospital Leadership
Medical Strengths
Awards & Accreditations
Hospital Milestones
Medical Highlights
Clinical Outcomes
Personal Data Protection Act
Social Media @ KKH
Newsroom
Press Releases
News Articles
Special Delivery
Procurement
Volunteering at KKH
Calendar of Events
Contact Us
Appointments
Key Contacts
Medical Report
Compliments
Feedback and Enquiries
Check Fake News
In a Contingency
Patient Care
Back to Home
Conditions & Treatments
Conditions & Treatment
Find a Doctor
Medicines
Areas of Care
Find a Doctor
Women's Services
Children's Services
Allied Health Specialties
Nursing
Teleconsultation
Support Groups
Patient Education
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Your Clinic Visit
Before Your Visit
Appointment Day
During Your Visit
Going Home
Your Hospital Stay
Pre-Admission
Admission Day
During Your Stay
Going Home
Ward Virtual Tour
E-Services
Patient Billing Services
Make Your Payment Online
Make/Change Appointment
Financial Counselling Online
Estimated Bill Calculators
MediSave Maternity Package Claims
Request for Final Bill
Request For Medical Report Online
Health Buddy App
Visitor Information
Directions to KKH
Directions to KKH@Halifax
Directions to KKH Children's Emergency & Urgent O&G Centre
Moving around KKH
Visitor Registration
Amenities & Facilities
Contact Us
Research
Back to Home
KK Research Centre
Our Researchers
Clinical Trials
Publications
SingHealth Research
Innovation
Back to Home
About
Collaboration
Technology Transfer
Success Stories
Contact Us
Education & Training
Back to Home
Undergraduate
Residency
Continuing Education
Training & Fellowships
Allied Health Specialties
Medical
Nursing
Events & Courses
SingHealth Academy
Careers
Back to Home
Why Choose Us
Career Choices
Doctors
Nurses
Allied Health Professionals
Management and Administration
Ancillary and Support
Job Opportunities
Scholarships & Sponsorships
Contact Us
Giving
Back to Home
Why Give
Finding a Cure
Advancing Medical Education
Helping Our Patients
Appreciating Your Support
Furthering Donor Impact
Get Involved
Make a Donation
Make an in-kind Donation
Create a Named Fund
Honour a Healthcare Hero
Your Gift at Work
Meet Grateful Patients
Meet Donors Like You
Meet Our Researchers
Be Informed
Make a Gift
Home
>
Patient Care
>
Conditions and Treatment
>
Neurotrauma
>
Treatment
Facebook
WhatsApp
Email Us
share
Font Resize
A-
A
A+
Print
Neurotrauma
Neurotrauma - Symptoms
Neurotrauma - How to prevent?
Neurotrauma - Causes and Risk Factors
Neurotrauma - Diagnosis
Neurotrauma - Treatments
Subdural Hematoma (SDH)
A subdural hematoma is a collection of blood over the surface of the brain. The brain is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid and the fluid is in turn surrounded by 2 layers of membrane called the arachnoid(inner) and dura (outer). External to the dura is the skull bone. The reason the blood clot is called a subdural hematoma is because the blood is under the dura layer.
There are two types of subdural hematoma, acute and chronic. They are two vastly different conditions with different treatments and outcomes.
Chronic Subdural Hematoma (SDH)
A chronic subdural hematoma is a collection of blood over the surface of the brain. It lies below the dura layer and it occurs after mild to moderate head trauma. This occurs especially in the elderly. There is gradual accumulation of blood which results from small veins lining the surface of the brain that are torn as a result of the injury. After some time, the blood clot gradually liquefies. However, in some individuals, the blood clot can expand over time and cause symptoms due to compression of the adjacent brain structures. This can usually develop over a period of several months.
The commonest symptom that occurs is the complaint of headache. Other symptoms include drowsiness, behavioral change, fits or weakness or numbness in one or more limbs. When such symptoms occur, one needs to be admitted to hospital for surgery.
The surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia. The head is partially shaved and one or two skin incisions need to be made. Subsequently, one or two holes are drilled on the skull of about five cent coin size diameter. The membrane covering the brain is opened and the liquefied blood clots washed out. After surgery, one usually needs to remain in hospital for about 4 to 5 days before discharge.
Acute Subdural Hematoma (SDH)
An acute subdural hematoma is a rapid accumulation of blood below the dura membrane layer covering the brain. This usually occurs after a severe blow to the head such as after a hard fall or after a motor vehicle accident. The accumulation of blood occurs from damaged arteries on the surface of the brain and usually causes significant compression of the surrounding brain structures. The result is that one may become immediately unconscious or fall into a semiconscious state after the injury. There is usually associated injury to the surrounding brain tissues as well from the impact of the head injury. This may include skull fractures, extradual hematoma or intracerebral hematoma.
An emergency craniotomy will need to be performed as a life saving procedure to remove the blood clot and to prevent further brain injury.
Extra Dural Hematoma (EDH)
An extra dural hematoma is an accumulation of blood on the surface of the brain outside of the dural layer. This occurs after a head injury where there is a severe blow causing a tear in arteries on the dura membrane layer. There is rapid collection of blood which causes compression of the adjacent brain. There is often associated skull fractures with such injury.
An emergency craniotomy also needs to be performed as a life saving procedure to remove the blood clot and to prevent further brain injury.
Intracerebral Hematoma (ICH)
An intracerebral hematoma is a collection of blood clot within the brain substance. This occurs in the context of trauma after the head has sustained high impact injuries. When such events occur, the brain is shifted about within the skull and the forces that the brain encounters results in twisting and tearing of blood vessels within the brain substance and on the surface of the brain. Such injuries occur concomitantly with extradural hematomas, subdural hematomas or skull fractures depending on the severity of the injury.
The collection of blood clot within the substance of the brain can gradually expand and will push against the surrounding brain tissues. This can compress on vital blood vessels as well as important nerves in the surrounding region. If the clot is very large, it can also compress on vital areas of the brain stem that control our heartbeat and breathing. The brain tissue that is injured is often also associated with surrounding brain swelling which can worsen the problem.
If the blood clot is small, the patient needs to be monitored closely for progressive deterioration from an enlarging clot. If the blood clot is large and the patient is already unconscious, then surgery needs to be performed urgently for evacuation of the blood clot and to relieve pressure from the surrounding brain structures.
Patients with such injuries are often critically ill and require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for management. The main issue is that of diffuse swelling of the brain which can compromise blood flow to the brain resulting in further damage from stroke. The patient is usually kept sedated with medications and put on a ventilator to control the breathing. Various other medications may also be given to help reduce brain swelling as well as to control the patients blood pressure.
Neurotrauma - Post-surgery care
Neurotrauma - Other Information
Display Entire Article +
Overview
Pre-Surgery Preparation
Article contributed by
Neurosurgery
,
Singapore General Hospital
The information provided is not intended as medical advice.
Terms of use
. Information provided by
Our Breast Team
Filter:
By designation or sub-specialty
By Designation:
By Sub-Specialty:
TOP
[]
Related Conditions
Related Medicine
Healthy Living Tips
by
View more
Discover articles,videos, and guides afrom Singhealth's resources across the web. These information are collated, making healthy living much easier for everyone.
Headache When to Seek Help
What You Need to Know About Dementia
×
SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the updates to your email inbox...
Find a Doctor
Condition & Treatment
Home
Appointment
E-services