Live Life Team
Causes
Age
Maximum chronic subdural haematoma cases are of people above the age of 60, as the chances to develop increases with age. As you get old, the brain decreases in size creating huge subdural space resulting in stretching of blood vessels that bridge this space and are also prone to rupture very easily. In such case even a small head injury causes bleeding of any one of the blood vessels and clots are formed. It takes many months or weeks for the blood clot to be huge enough to add pressure to the brain causing symptoms to develop.
Alcohol misuse
Misuse of alcohol also causes reduction in brain size and creation of large subdural space. As this space enlarges, the blood vessels get stretched and become more vulnerable to rupturing resulting in subdural haematoma even by a small head injury.
Anticoagulant medicines
Anticoagulant medicines increase risk of developing subdural haematoma. These are used to prevent and treat condition caused by clotting of blood very quickly like heart attacks and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Heparin and warafarin are anticoagulant medications that work by reducing blood clotting process in the body. This also prevents bleeding caused by clotting in subdural space quickly, resulting in formation of chronic subdural haematoma.
Certain health conditions
Health conditions like thrombocytopenia and haemophilia, affect the blood’s clotting ability. This condition prevents the clotting of blood properly, which means that the bleeding is heavy and longer than usual. A defective gene which fails to produce sufficient clotting factor causes Haemophilia. Insufficient platelets results in occurrence of Thrombocytopenia. Having both these condition increases the risk of developing subdural haematoma as torn vessels of blood in subdural haematoma will not clot soon to stop large clots of blood from being formed.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis for subdural haematoma is done on the basis of symptoms, medical history and results of image scan of the skull and brain. In case of a severe head injury, the hospital staff shall analyze the cause of injury and also the resulting symptoms. As in case of a blow there can be a possibility of developing acute subdural haematoma. Hence you will be kept under close observation.
If symptoms of chronic subdural haematoma are shown, you need to consult your doctor immediately. Even though you can’t remember having a head injury.
In case you are 60 years, or over,
Are taking anticoagulant medicines like warfarin,
Having a condition which affects the blood clotting ability in the body, like haemophilia or thrombocytopenia
Drink excessive alcohol regularly.
Assessing your condition
Careful monitoring of your condition is required whether symptoms of subdural haematoma are developed over a period of time or because of a head injury. The healthcare consultant shall examine levels of reflexes and consciousness. In case you are conscious, the doctor shall listen your speech and analyze the ability of feeling pain, follow commands and shall open the eyes. The pupils of eyes will be examined for size and reaction towards light.
Imaging scans
A CT or MRI scan of the head will be recommended if the doctor suspects a case of subdural haematoma. These scans shall show detailed pictures of the brain and skull and also shows extent and exact location of clotting or any damage. In case you have acute subdural haematoma, in the CT scan it shows a semi circular white mass under the skull surface. In case of chronic subdural haematoma, the mass is darker as compared to the skull. At times CT scan cannot detect chronic subdural haematoma as over a period of time blood clot takes the same density of the tissue surrounding it. In such cases MRI scan is recommended.
