injuries and poisoning
Intracranial Hematomas
Intracerebral Hematomas
Intracerebral hematomas are common after a severe head injury. They can be caused by bruising of the brain (a Cerebral Contusions and Lacerations ). Exactly when one or more contusions become a hematoma is not well-defined. People may develop drowsiness, confusion, paralysis on the side of the body opposite the hematoma, speech or language impairment, or other symptoms, depending on the Brain Dysfunction by Location . Fluid accumulation in the damaged brain (cerebral edema) is common. It increases pressure within the skull (intracranial pressure). When pressure within the skull is increased, the brain may get less blood and oxygen. If the pressure is high enough, the brain may be forced through a small natural opening in the relatively rigid sheets of tissue that separate the brain into compartments ( Herniation: The Brain Under Pressure ). Cerebral edema and its complications account for most deaths. Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect intracerebral hematomas. Surgery is usually avoided because of the following: Intracerebral hematomas are caused by direct damage to the brain. Usually, surgery does not restore brain function. Hematomas are within the brain tissue. Thus, doctors must remove the overlying brain to get at the hematoma. Removing this tissue contributes to loss of brain function. 