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Multiple Choice

Epidural hematoma is defined by which of the following?

Epidural hematoma occurs when arterial blood accumulates in the epidural space, which is between the skull and the dura mater. This is most often due to injury to a meningeal artery (classically the middle meningeal artery) after a head trauma. The arterial source and the confined space mean the bleed expands rapidly, leading to quick neurological deterioration if not treated promptly. This distinguishes it from other bleeds: bleeding into the subarachnoid space is a subarachnoid hemorrhage, bleeding within brain tissue is intraparenchymal hemorrhage, and a venous bleed between skull and dura would not fit the usual arterial epidural pattern.

Epidural hematoma occurs when arterial blood accumulates in the epidural space, which is between the skull and the dura mater. This is most often due to injury to a meningeal artery (classically the middle meningeal artery) after a head trauma. The arterial source and the confined space mean the bleed expands rapidly, leading to quick neurological deterioration if not treated promptly. This distinguishes it from other bleeds: bleeding into the subarachnoid space is a subarachnoid hemorrhage, bleeding within brain tissue is intraparenchymal hemorrhage, and a venous bleed between skull and dura would not fit the usual arterial epidural pattern.