[Head injuries with delayed intracranial hemorrhage]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Trauma Medicine
• Neurology

Background:

• Delayed intracranial hematomas are uncommon sequelae of head trauma.
• These hematomas can arise hours to months after the initial injury.
• Early identification and management are critical for patient prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence and characteristics of delayed intracranial hematomas.
• To analyze the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and outcomes of patients with these injuries.
• To highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring after head trauma.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 300 patients with head injuries over two years.
• Analysis of computed tomography (CT) scans for hematoma identification.
• Correlation of clinical course and patient outcomes with hematoma type and management.

Main Results:

• Nine cases (3%) of delayed intracranial hematomas were identified.
• Delayed intracerebral hematomas occurred in six patients, epidural in two, and subdural in one.
• Outcomes were generally poor, with one death and two severe disabilities among intracerebral hematoma patients.

Conclusions:

• Delayed intracranial hematomas, particularly intracerebral, are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
• Epidural hematomas presented with a more rapid clinical course and elevated intracranial pressure.
• While subdural hematomas can have delayed presentation, surgical intervention may lead to favorable outcomes.