An intracranial hematoma is a collection of blood within the skull, most commonly caused by rupture of a blood vessel within the brain or from trauma such as a car accident or fall. The blood collection can be within the brain tissue or underneath the skull, pressing on the brain.

Although some head injuries — such as one that causes only a brief lapse of consciousness (concussion) — can be minor, an intracranial hematoma is potentially life-threatening. It usually requires immediate treatment, often surgery to remove the blood.


You might develop signs and symptoms of an intracranial hematoma right after a blow to your head, or they may take weeks or longer to appear. You might seem fine after a head injury, a period called the lucid interval.


  • Increasing headache
  • Vomiting
  • Drowsiness and progressive loss of consciousness
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Unequal pupil size
  • Slurred speech


  • Lethargy
  • Seizures
  • Unconsciousness

When to see a doctor

An intracranial hematoma can be life-threatening, requiring emergency treatment.


  • Lose consciousness
  • Have a persistent headache
  • Have difficulties such as vomiting, weakness, blurred vision, unsteadiness

If signs and symptoms aren't immediately evident after a blow to the head, watch for physical, mental and emotional changes. For example, if someone seems fine after a blow to the head and can talk but later becomes unconscious, seek immediate medical care.

Also, even if you feel fine, ask someone to keep an eye on you. Memory loss after a blow to your head can make you forget about the blow. Someone you tell might be more likely to recognize the warning signs and get you medical attention.


Head injury, often from motor vehicle or bicycle accidents, falls, assaults, and sports injuries, is the most common cause of intracranial bleeding (hemorrhage).

If you're an older adult — especially if you're taking an anticoagulant or an antiplatelet drug, such as aspirin — even mild head trauma can cause a hematoma.

You can have a serious injury even if there's no open wound, bruise or other obvious damage.

There are three categories of hematoma — subdural hematoma, epidural hematoma and intraparenchymal hematoma.

Subdural hematoma

This occurs when blood vessels — usually veins — rupture between your brain and the outermost of three membrane layers that cover your brain (dura mater). The leaking blood forms a hematoma that presses on the brain tissue. An enlarging hematoma can cause gradual loss of consciousness and possibly death.

The three types of subdural hematomas are:

  • Acute. This most dangerous type is generally caused by a severe head injury, and signs and symptoms usually appear immediately.
  • Chronic. The result of less severe head injuries, this type of hematoma can cause slow bleeding, and symptoms can take weeks and even months to appear. You might not recall injuring your head. For example, bumping your head while getting into the car can cause bleeding, especially if you're on blood-thinning medication.

All three types require medical attention as soon as signs and symptoms appear so that permanent brain damage can be prevented.

The risk of subdural hematoma increases as you age. The risk is also greater for people who:

  • Take aspirin or other blood-thinning medication daily
  • Abuse alcohol

Epidural hematoma

Also called an extradural hematoma, this type occurs when a blood vessel — usually an artery — ruptures between the outer surface of the dura mater and the skull. Blood then leaks between the dura mater and the skull to form a mass that presses on brain tissue. The most common cause of an epidural hematoma is trauma.

Some people with this type of injury remain conscious, but most become drowsy or go into a coma from the moment of trauma. An epidural hematoma that affects an artery in your brain can be deadly without prompt treatment.

Intraparenchymal hematoma

This type of hematoma, also known as intracerebral hematoma, occurs when blood pools in the brain. There are many causes, including trauma, rupture of an aneurysm, vascular malformation, high blood pressure and tumor. There are also diseases that can cause spontaneous leakage of blood into the brain. A head trauma can result in multiple severe intraparenchymal hematomas.


To prevent or minimize head injury:

  • Wear a helmet and make sure your kids wear helmets. Wear an appropriate and properly fitted helmet when playing contact sports, bicycling, motorcycling, skiing, horseback riding, skating, skateboarding, snowboarding or doing any activity that could result in head injury.
  • Buckle your seat belt and make sure your kids are buckled in. Do so every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.

May 01, 2018
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