EXTRADURAL HEMORRHAGE (Epidural Hemorrhage) |
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EXTRADURAL HEMORRHAGE (Epidural Hemorrhage)
DESCRIPTIONAn extradural hemorrhage is bleeding between the skull and the outermost of 3 membranes that cover the brain (meninges). The skull, meninges, and brain are involved.
Appropriate health care includes:
Physician's monitoring of general condition, medications, and treatment. An extradural hemorrhage is an emergency that requires rapid treatment to prevent permanent brain damage or death.
Surgery to stop your child's bleeding and remove blood clots.
Home care after surgery.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
These symptoms develop within 24 to 96 hours after a head injury:
Headache that steadily worsens.
Drowsiness or unconsciousness.
Nausea or vomiting.
Inability to move arms and legs.
Change in the size of eye pupils.
CAUSES
Head injury.
RISK FACTORS
Use of anticoagulant drugs.
Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or aplastic anemia.
Injuries. These occur more often after excess alcohol consumption or use of mind-altering drugs.
PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS OR RECURRENCEAttempt to avoid head injury in the following ways:
Insist that your children use seat belts or infant seat restraints in cars.
Urge your child to wear protective head gear during contact sports or while riding a bicycle or motorcycle.
Urge your child not to drink alcohol or use mind-altering drugs and drive.
BASIC INFORMATION
MEDICAL TESTS
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
Laboratory studies of the child's blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
Sophisticated hospital diagnostic tests, such as X-rays of the head, arteriography, radioscopic scan, MRI, and CAT scan (See Glossary for all).
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONSFatal compression of the child's brain if bleeding lasts longer than 24 hours.
PROBABLE OUTCOME
Quick diagnosis and prompt surgery usually bring your child to complete recovery.
TREATMENT
HOME CARENo specific instructions except those under other headings.
MEDICATION
Your doctor may prescribe cortisone drugs to reduce the swelling inside the child's skull.
See Medications section for information regarding medicines your doctor may prescribe.
ACTIVITY
Your child should stay as active as strength allows, resting when tired. Moderate work and exercise is allowed. If speech or muscle control has been damaged, your child may need physical therapy or speech therapy.
DIET & FLUIDS
Your child should eat a normal, well-balanced diet. Vitamin and mineral supplements should not be necessary unless your child cannot eat normally.
OK TO GO TO SCHOOL?Yes, after full recovery.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
Your child has had a head injury--even if it seems minor--and symptoms of extradural hemorrhage develop.
The following occurs during treatment:
-- Temperature rises to 101F (38.3C) or higher.
-- Surgical wound becomes red, swollen, or tender.
-- Headache worsens.
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