A hematoma is a collection of blood in the brain, caused by a blood vessel rupturing between the brain and the skull. Click here to see an image of a subdural hematoma. The blood then leaks into your brain and usually becomes clotted, forming a blood clot in your brain. Because the brain is encased in the skull, there is no extra room for the blood clot, and normal brain functioning is affected. Click here to learn more about hematomas.

The pressure of the blood clot on the brain can cause any or all of these conditions.

• Headache


• Nausea


• Vomiting


• Slurred speech or loss of ability to speak


• Pupils of unequal size


• Weakness in limbs on one side of your body

As time goes by, the patient may also present the following conditions:

• Lethargy


• Unconsciousness

Most hematomas require surgery to remove the blood clot. The surgeon may drill a hole in the skull to drain the blood, or the skull is opened to remove a large clot. If the hematoma is small, it may not need to be removed. Some medications, such as diuretics, are used to control brain swelling; other medications (Dilantin) are prescribed to prevent post-traumatic seizures. Click here for more information about treating hematomas.