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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
11:05
SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients
Published on: February 6, 2021
[A man with decreased consciousness, weeks after head trauma]
Nathalie E Synhaeve1, Cees C Tijssen
1St. Elisabeth ziekenhuis, afd. Neurologie, Tilburg, the Netherlands. n.synhaeve@elisabeth.nl
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|March 25, 2011
Summary
A 76-year-old man experienced decreased consciousness following head trauma. Imaging revealed bilateral subdural hematomas, indicating both old and recent bleeding in the brain.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Subdural hematomas are collections of blood between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater.
- Head trauma is a common cause of subdural hematomas, particularly in older adults.
Observation:
- A 76-year-old male patient presented with a 6-week history of decreased consciousness.
- Cerebral computed tomography (CT) scan was performed to investigate the cause of altered mental status.
Findings:
- The CT scan demonstrated bilateral subdural hematomas.
- The hematomas exhibited evidence of both chronic (old) and acute (recent) bleeding.
Implications:
- Bilateral subdural hematomas can lead to significant neurological deficits, including decreased consciousness.
- The presence of mixed-age components suggests a complex or recurrent bleeding process requiring further investigation and management.
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