Symptoms

Subdural hematoma

This occurs when blood vessels — usually veins — rupture between your brain and the outermost of three membrane layers that cover your brain (dura mater). The leaking blood forms a hematoma that presses on the brain tissue. An enlarging hematoma can cause gradual loss of consciousness and possibly death.

The three types of subdural hematomas are:

• Acute. This most dangerous type is generally caused by a severe head injury, and signs and symptoms usually appear immediately.
• Subacute. Signs and symptoms take time to develop, sometimes days or weeks after your injury.
• Chronic. The result of less severe head injuries, this type of hematoma can cause slow bleeding, and symptoms can take weeks and even months to appear. You might not recall injuring your head. For example, bumping your head while getting into the car can cause bleeding, especially if you're on blood-thinning medication.

All three types require medical attention as soon as signs and symptoms appear so that permanent brain damage can be prevented.

The risk of subdural hematoma increases as you age. The risk is also greater for people who:

• Take aspirin or other blood-thinning medication daily
• Misuse alcohol

Epidural hematoma

Also called an extradural hematoma, this type occurs when a blood vessel — usually an artery — ruptures between the outer surface of the dura mater and the skull. Blood then leaks between the dura mater and the skull to form a mass that presses on brain tissue. The most common cause of an epidural hematoma is trauma.

Some people with this type of injury remain conscious, but most become drowsy or go into a coma from the moment of trauma. An epidural hematoma that affects an artery in your brain can be deadly without prompt treatment.

Intracerebral (intraparenchymal) hematoma

This type of hematoma, also known as intraparenchymal hematoma, occurs when blood pools in the tissues of the brain. There are many causes, including trauma, rupture of a bulging blood vessel (aneurysm), poorly connected arteries and veins from birth, high blood pressure, and tumors. Diseases can cause spontaneous leakage of blood into the brain. A head trauma can result in multiple severe intracerebral hematomas.