Delayed intracranial haematomas

Seven patients with delayed traumatic epidural and subdural haematomas who were treated at the Neurosurgical Centre, Nijmegen between 1975 and 1985 were reviewed. There were 3 males and 4 females with ages ranging from 16 to 70 years. Clinical signs which necessitated re-investigation in these patients included deteriorating level of consciousness in 3 patients, progressive hemiparesis in 1; extensor motor response and pupillary dilatation in 1; bradycardia in 1; and vomiting, severe headache and fits in 1 patient. Analysis of the initial CT-scan or angiography films demonstrated cerebral contusion in 4 patients and skull fractures in 5 cases. Of the 5 skull fractures there was a minor depression in 2 cases.