Course Description:

A SDH is an accumulation of blood below the dura mater due to a bleed in the “bridging veins,” most often after head trauma. Compression of brain tissue due to increased intracranial pressure (ICP) can cause cerebral damage and death. Symptoms experienced may include headaches, seizures, and hemiparesis. SDHs are classified by the length of time it takes for symptoms to appear after the injury. A SDH that develops within 48 hours after an injury is classified as acute, whereas a subacute condition develops between 2 days to 2 weeks after an injury. If the condition develops after 2 weeks of an injury, the SDH is classified as chronic. It is estimated that 73% of all SDHs are due to trauma, with coagulation complications being the next most common cause. Clinicians need to be aware that acute SDH is considered a life-threatening injury. Moreover, children and infants who develop SDH, often from child abuse, are at greater risk for developing neurologic deficits and impairments. Providing proper treatment to patients with SDH can be complicated by the similarity of its presentation to other conditions in the early stages, leading to potential misdiagnosis. Treatment may include fall/trauma prevention education, balance training, and therapeutic exercise.