Chronic subdural hematoma

Alternative names:

subdural hematoma, chronic; subdural hemorrhage, chronic

Symptoms:

• headaches, steady or fluctuating
• changes in level of consciousness (alertness)
  • confusion
  • dementia
  • decreased responsiveness
  • slowed thought processes

• decreased memory
• drowsiness, may progressively increase to coma
• changes in personality
  • irritability, common
  • apathy

• seizures
• loss of movement
  • complete or partial
  • may affect only one side of the body

• changes in sensation or movement, any part of the body
• difficulty speaking or swallowing
• vision changes
• changes in pupil size, unequal pupils
• movement, dysfunctional
• anxiety, stress, and tension

Signs and tests:

The health care provider should be consulted for any head injury that results in even a brief loss of consciousness, or if other symptoms are present after a head injury even without loss of consciousness.

Chronic subdural hematoma may be diagnosed after the health care provider has ruled out other possible causes (such as intracerebral hemorrhage) of decreased mental functioning and other symptoms after a history of head injury. Examination may show focal neurologic deficits (localized, specific function changes). The skull may be tender to tapping on one or both sides.

A cranial CT scan or a cranial MRI may confirm the diagnosis of subdural hematoma and will pinpoint the exact location.