Which condition results from bleeding between the dura and arachnoid membranes and often presents with a progressive headache after head injury?

Which condition results from bleeding between the dura and arachnoid membranes and often presents with a progressive headache after head injury?

• A. Concussion
• B. Brain herniation
• C. Subdural hematoma
• D. Epidural hematoma

Answer: (C)

Bleeding between the dura and arachnoid membranes is a subdural hematoma. This occurs when bridging veins are torn, and the bleed tends to accumulate slowly, which is why symptoms often progress rather than happening all at once. After a head injury, a patient may report a worsening headache as the hematoma enlarges and pressure builds, and they may also develop confusion or other neurologic signs as time passes. This differs from an epidural hematoma, which is arterial bleeding between skull and dura and often presents with a quick sequence of loss of consciousness, a lucid interval, then rapid deterioration. Concussion is a transient brain dysfunction without bleeding visible on imaging, and brain herniation is a dangerous complication that can result from a large bleed rather than describing the typical progressive headache pattern.

Bleeding between the dura and arachnoid membranes is a subdural hematoma. This occurs when bridging veins are torn, and the bleed tends to accumulate slowly, which is why symptoms often progress rather than happening all at once. After a head injury, a patient may report a worsening headache as the hematoma enlarges and pressure builds, and they may also develop confusion or other neurologic signs as time passes.

This differs from an epidural hematoma, which is arterial bleeding between skull and dura and often presents with a quick sequence of loss of consciousness, a lucid interval, then rapid deterioration. Concussion is a transient brain dysfunction without bleeding visible on imaging, and brain herniation is a dangerous complication that can result from a large bleed rather than describing the typical progressive headache pattern.