[Prognostic factors in acute traumatic epi- and subdural hematoma]

The results of a retrospective study on the outcome of 147 patients with acute traumatic epidural and subdural haematomas are presented. It is shown that several factors have a significant influence on the outcome of these patients (e.g. type of haematoma, injuries of other organ systems, and findings on admission. Our conclusions: 1. Epidural haematomas have a far better prognosis than subdural haematomas. 2. For both types of haematoma the initial findings and duration of coma seem to be the main predictors of outcome. 3. The patient's age does not significantly influence outcome. 4. As for subdural haematomas, concomitant brain injuries are of greater importance to the outcome than the effects of the haematoma itself.