Chronic Subdural Hematoma

What is Chronic Subdural Hematoma?

A Chronic Subdural Hematoma is an old clot of blood that occurs on the brain’s surface beneath the outer covering of the brain. It usually begins days or weeks after the initial bleeding has started and mainly occurs in old people over the age of 60 years. In such people, there is shrinking of brain due to age factor and even a minor head trauma causes tearing of blood vessels over brain surface leading to accumulation of blood over a period of time.

What are the causes of Chronic Subdural Hematoma?

Chronic Subdural Hematoma is usually the result of minor or major trauma to the brain due to head injury. However, there are certain risk factors that may increase the development of Chronic Subdural Hematoma, namely:

• Blood thinning medication
• Alcohol abuse
• Seizure

What are the symptoms of Chronic Subdural Hematoma?

The most common symptoms of Chronic Subdural Hematoma are:

• Headache
• Lethargy
• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Nausea & vomiting
• Impaired vision
• Seizures
• Paralysis
• Coma

How can Chronic Subdural Hematoma be treated?

Chronic Subdural Hematoma is treated surgically in which tiny holes are made in the skull to drain the blood through the catheter. In case of large or thick clot, the doctor will remove a piece of skull to take out the clot by procedure known as craniotomy.