Subdural hematoma
Alternative Names
Subdural hemorrhageSymptoms
- Recent head injury
- Loss of consciousness after head injury
- Headache
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Can't speak
- Slurred speech
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lethargy
- Seizures
In infants:
- Bulging fontanelles
- Increased head circumference
- Separated sutures
- Irritability
- High-pitched cry
- Focal seizures
- Generalized tonic-clonic seizure
Exams and Tests
Always get medical help after a head injury. Older persons should receive medical care if they shows signs of memory problems or mental decline. An exam should include a complete neurologic exam.
Your doctor may order a brain imaging study if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Inability to speak
- Slurred speech
- Persistent headache
- Abnormal level of consciousness
- Recent cognitive decline in an elderly person, even without of head injury
A CT scan or MRI scan would likely be done to evaluate for the presence of a subdural hematoma.
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