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Extradural Hemorrhage - Medical Malpractice Lawyers

LEGAL HELPLINE: ☎ 855 804 7125

Whilst most clinical procedures are carried out satisfactorily by healthcare professionals there are times when things go wrong. Serious damage, with life threatening consequences, can occur as a result of negligent actions, poor skills, or delayed treatment for an extradural brain hemorrhage. Where this occurs due to medical malpractice our brain hemorrhage lawyers can help you to obtain compensation for any damage that you or a loved one may have suffered. Our extradural brain hemorrhage medical malpractice lawyers charge no legal fees unless your claim is settled satisfactorily and you obtain a payment of damages. If you would like advice at no cost on from a medical malpractice lawyer without further obligation just contact our lawyers offices.

Extradural Hemorrhage

An extradural hemorrhage (EDH) is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which occurs between the skull and the dura mater, the leather-like layer which lies just under the skull.

Extradural: means outside the dura mater (also called epidural)

Hemorrhage: refers to bleeding (also known as a hematology)

The definition of an extradural hemorrhage is blood leaking into the cavity between the skull and the first protective layer of the brain.

An extradural hemorrhage is generally the result of a blow to the head or a knock from a fall. It is more common in the young, because the dura is not yet firmly attached to the skull.

An extradural hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel is ruptured and the blood flows out under the skull. The inward compression of the meningeal layers, which protect the brain, leads to pressure being applied directly to the brain and brain damage or, even, death can result if left untreated.

Causes and Symptoms

There are several causes for an extradural hemorrhage, but the most frequent cause is a blow to the temple or side of the head. Men are more likely to suffer this type of hemorrhage than women. It is more likely to be fatal in an older age group than in young children.

Symptoms are sometimes very difficult to diagnose on presentation to a medical facility, because signs and signals that can pinpoint an extradural hemorrhage can blend in with the symptoms of substance abuse.

Misdiagnosis or late diagnosis of an extradural hemorrhage can give rise to a medical malpractice compensation claim.

However, the medical signs are:

Diagnosis

An extradural hemorrhage may be evident on a skull X-Ray, but not necessarily. Diagnosis is pursued dependent on the mental state of the patient. If the patient is stabilised, then the most effective way of positively identifying an extradural hemorrhage is via an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Conclusive results can also be obtained by a CT (computed tomography) scan. Misdiagnosis or late diagnosis of an extradural hemorrhage can give rise to a medical malpractice compensation claim.

Treatment

Often the quickest and most effective way of treating an extradural hemorrhage is to drill one or more holes in the skull and drain the blood as soon after the trauma as possible. As with other brain hemorrhages, sometimes the surgery will involve lifting a section of the skull directly above the hemorrhage to access the pool of blood, clear it away, and fasten off the leaking vein. After surgery, anticonvulsant drugs (such as phenytoin) are used to help control or to prevent convulsions. Negligent surgery can give rise to a medical malpractice compensation claim.

Prognosis

The forecast for recovery varies greatly due a large number of factors. Those aged over 65 years have a lower recovery rate than younger age groups. But the recovery scale also is also affected by how long a person was unconscious after the injury, how quickly they underwent surgery, how large the hemorrhage was and how long they spent in hospital.

Naturally the ongoing health and well-being of the person also depends on their behavior after being released from hospital. The consumption of excessive alcohol, smoking, illicit drug use, obesity and eating fatty and heavily salted foods will slow or hamper recovery.

Prevention

Since the primary cause of an extradural hemorrhage is via a blow to the temple, the natural conclusion when considering prevention is protection of that area by:

LEGAL HELPLINE: ☎ 855 804 7125

mail @ lawmedmal.ca

The author of the substantive medical writing on this website is Dr. Christine Traxler MD whose biography can be read here