Extradural haematoma--a preventable cause of death.
Traumatic extradural haematoma (EDH) complicates 1-4% of all head injuries and is a major factor contributing to morbidity and mortality. Clinical awareness and early diagnosis are the keys to successful management. With the advent of computerised tomographic (CT) scanning a trend towards 'zero mortality' has been reported. We report four adolescent cases presenting with mild head injury (Glascow Coma Score 13-15) who subsequently died as a result of EDH. We suggest that excessive delay both in recognising the condition and the subsequent referral and transfer are factors contributing to the mortality of these patients.
Caird
J
J
Department of Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, Ireland.
Brett
F M
FM
Phillips
J P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed