Overview

An intracranial hematoma is a collection of blood within the skull. It's most commonly caused by the rupture of a blood vessel within the brain or from trauma such as a car accident or fall. The blood collection can be within the brain tissue or underneath the skull, pressing on the brain.

Some head injuries, such as one that causes only a brief lapse of consciousness, can be minor. However, an intracranial hematoma is potentially life-threatening. It usually requires immediate treatment, which might include surgery to remove the blood.