Natasha Richardson - Epidural Hematoma

Tony-winning actress Natasha Richardson died of a brain injury after falling on a ski slope.

The cause of death was epidural hematoma (bleeding between the skull and the brain's covering).

As a school nurse, I am finding many of the children that bump their heads and their parent's have a hightened fear of a closed head trauma after reading Natasha's story.

The cause of intracranial bleeding (hemorrhage) is an injury to the head, often as a result of an automobile or motorcycle accident or a seemingly trivial event, such as bumping your head. Mild head trauma is more likely to cause a hematoma if you're an older adult. There may be no open wound, bruise or other outward sign.

Epidural hematoma !

Also called an extradural hematoma, this type of hematoma occurs when a blood vessel — usually an artery — ruptures between the outer surface of the dura mater and the skull. The blood vessel usually is damaged by a skull fracture. Blood then leaks between the dura mater and the skull to form a mass that compresses the brain tissue.
The risk of dying of an epidural hematoma is substantial unless prompt treatment occurs. Some people with this type of injury may remain conscious, but most become drowsy or comatose from the moment of trauma.

Epidural hematomas are more common in children and teenagers. They are often the result of motorcycle, automobile or other traumatic accidents.

Seek medical advice after any significant blow to the head in which you lose consciousness or experience any of the signs and symptoms that may indicate an intracranial hematoma.

Although symptoms of intracranial hematoma may not be immediately apparent, watch closely for subsequent physical, mental and emotional changes.

In addition, tell a family member or a close friend if you experience any type of head trauma. Because memory loss often is associated with head trauma, you may forget that you even suffered a blow to the head. An alerted friend, family member or work colleague may be more likely to recognize the warning signs and arrange for prompt medical attention if aware of your history.

Signs and symptoms of an intracranial hematoma may occur from immediately to several weeks or longer after a blow to your head. As time progresses, pressure on your brain increases, producing some or all of the following signs and symptoms:

Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Confusion
Slurred speech or loss of ability to speak
Pupils of unequal size
Weakness in limbs on one side of your body
As more and more blood fills your brain or the narrow space between your brain and skull, other signs and symptoms may become apparent, such as:

Lethargy
Seizures
Unconsciousness

Diagnosing a hematoma can be difficult. However, doctors generally presume that the progressive loss of consciousness after a head injury is caused by a hemorrhage inside the skull until proved otherwise.
The best method to define the position and size of a hematoma is by an imaging technique. These include
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

These steps may help to prevent or minimize head injury:

Use recreational safety equipment. Wear appropriate and properly fitting safety equipment during sports, including a helmet when bicycling, motorcycling, skiing, horseback riding, skating or doing any activity that may result in head injury.

Buckle your seat belt. Doing so may prevent or minimize damage to your head in a motor vehicle accident.

Protect your kids. To protect children, use properly fitting car seats, pad countertops and edges of tables, block off stairways, tether heavy furniture or appliances to the wall to prevent tipping, and keep children from climbing on unsafe or unsteady objects.

I hope this information will help people understand the need to be alert to any symptoms that may indicate a brain injury has been sustained and to take prompt action.

Peace,
Kitt