This is a collection of clotted blood
(hematoma) between the skull and outer
surface of one of the three membranes
covering the brain. It is most commonly
caused by a head injury that ruptures a
blood vessel. Typically, symptoms develop
within hours of the injury. They may include
headache, vomiting, drowsiness, paralysis
affecting one side of the body, and seizures
(“fits”). Anyone with these symptoms
should seek urgent medical advice. A
hematoma may occur after a person
briefly loses consciousness at the time of
an injury and then loses consciousness
again hours later. In a few cases, bleeding
occurs relatively slowly and symptoms
may not develop for days.
Treatment is with surgery. With prompt
treatment, many people make a good
recovery, although there may be long-term
residual problems, such as weakness. In
severe cases, it may be fatal.