Intracerebral hematoma
An intracerebral hematoma occurs when one or more blood vessels in the brain rupture, usually as a result of a head injury. It is a medical emergency which can be fatal and so all head injuries should be investigated.
Symptoms of an Intracerebral Hematoma
- Severe headache.
- Nausea.
- Dizziness.
- Confusion.
- Loss of feeling or weakness in the limbs on one side.
- Seizures.
- Loss of consciousness.
Causes
An intracerebral hematoma usually results after a forceful impact to the head. This can be a sporting accident (such as a collision or being hit with a hard ball, stick or racket) or from a fall or road traffic accident etc.
Very rarely, an intracerebral hematoma may occur in the absense of a head injury. In these cases, blood disorders (such as hemophilia or anemia), chronic high blood pressure or drug overdoses may be the cause.
Treatment of an Intracerebral Hematoma
- Seek medical attention immediately - call an ambulance.
- The ambulance staff will try to stabilise the patient and will rush the patient to hospital.
- On arrival at hospital, emergency surgery is required.
- This aims to stop the bleeding and relieve the pressure build-up in the skull.
- After sucessful surgery, the patient will be kept under close observation in hospital for several weeks.
- Further tests will be done to check for brain damage and to ensure that all bleeding has stopped.
- Once released from hospital the patient will require regular check-ups and long-term medication.
