A patient has sustained an epidural hematoma after a 10-foot fall from a roof. Which of the following is true about epidural hematomas?
a. They are usually arterial in nature.
b. They typically have a worse mortality rate than subdural hematomas.
c. They are associated with a permanent loss of consciousness.
d. Clinical signs and symptoms include bilateral pupil dilation.
A
Epidural hematoma (EDH) is a collection of blood between the inner table of the skull and the outermost layer of the dura. EDHs are most often associated with skull fractures and middle meningeal artery lacerations (two thirds of patients). A blow to the head that causes a linear skull fracture on the lateral surface of the head may tear the middle meningeal artery. As the artery bleeds, it pulls the dura away from the skull, creating a pouch that expands into the intracranial space.
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