Why is subdural hematoma common in elderly?

SDHs are three times more frequent in the elderly population. Most result from bleeding originating from bridging veins, which are prone to injury following acceleration/deceleration movement of the brain.

What body system does a subdural hematoma affect?

A subdural hematoma occurs when the tiny blood vessels within the brain’s dura tear, causing blood to pool in the brain. The bleeding can quickly fill the brain, compressing parts of the brain, impeding brain function, leading to organ failure, and even causing death.

What are some complications of subdural hematoma?

Possible Complications

• Brain herniation (pressure on the brain severe enough to cause coma and death)
• Persistent symptoms such as memory loss, dizziness, headache, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.
• Seizures.
• Short-term or permanent weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking.

Which vessel is involved in subdural hematoma?

Acute subdural hematoma is usually caused by external trauma that creates tension in the wall of a bridging vein as it passes between the arachnoid and dural layers of the brain’s lining—i.e., the subdural space. The circumferential arrangement of collagen surrounding the vein makes it susceptible to such tearing.

What causes hematomas in the elderly?

With aging, the mass of the brain decreases leading to an increase in the space between the brain and the skull from 6\% to 11\% of the total intracranial space. This causes stretching of the bridging veins and the greater movement of the brain within the cranium makes these veins vulnerable to trauma.

Why are older patients and alcoholic patients at risk for chronic subdural hematoma?

Older adults are at higher risk for a subdural hematoma, even with mild head injury. This is because the veins surrounding the brain are more likely to tear.

Can subdural hematoma cause dementia?

Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is a common intracranial pathology, and a leading cause of reversible dementia. cSDH is projected to affect at least 60,000 new individuals in the United States annually by 2030.

What causes brain bleeds in elderly?

Brain hemorrhages are most likely to occur in older adults. Most of the intracerebral hemorrhages that suddenly occur in children are due to anomalies in the blood vessels. Other possible causes include blood diseases, brain tumors, septicemia, or the use of alcohol or illicit drugs.

Which vein is affected in subdural hematoma?

Most acute subdural hematomas (ASDHs) develop after rupture of a bridging vein or veins. The anatomy of the bridging vein predisposes to its tearing within the border cell layer of the dura mater. Thus, the subdural hematoma actually forms within the dura.

What causes brain bleeds in older adults?

What are the causes of subdural hematoma?

Subdural haematomas are usually caused by a head injury. Head injuries that cause subdural haematomas are often severe, such as from a car crash, fall or violent assault. Minor bumps to the head can also lead to a subdural haematoma in a few cases.

How long does it take for a subdural hematoma to appear?

Subacute: Symptoms usually appear hours to days or even weeks after the head injury. A subacute subdural hematoma can occur with a concussion. Chronic: This type of hematoma is more common in older people.

Are the elderly at risk for developing subdural hematomas?

Even Common Falls Put Elderly At Risk For Developing Subdural Hematomas. Frequently undiagnosed and under-appreciated, falls amongst the elderly can frequently result in brain bleeds or technically termed ‘subdural hamatoas’.

What is the difference between a subdural hematoma and a TBI?

Because a subdural hematoma is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), they share many symptoms. Symptoms of a subdural hematoma may appear immediately following trauma to the head, or they may develop over time – even weeks to months. Signs and symptoms of a subdural hematoma include: Headache that doesn’t go away.

What is the treatment for a subdural hematoma?

Treatment of subdural hematomas depends on the severity of the bleeding. If the bleeding is minor and there are no signs or symptoms, the hematoma might not need to be removed. Also, after a head injury, diuretic medications can be used to control brain swelling (edema).