Hematoma

hematoma

1. Hematoma

2. What is hematoma? A hematoma is an abnormal collection of blood outside of the blood vessel. It occurs because the wall of the blood vessel, artery, vein, or capillary, has been damage and blood has leaked into tissues. The hematoma may be tiny, with just a dot of blood, or it can be large and cause significant swelling. Blood that escapes from within a blood vessel is very irritating to the surrounding tissue and may cause symptoms of inflammation including pain, swelling, and redness.

3. What is the most common cause hematomas? Trauma is the most common cause of a hematoma. When people think of trauma they generally think accidents, falls, head injuries, broken bones. Trauma to tissue also may be caused by an aggressive sneeze or an unexpected twist of an arm or leg. When blood vessel id damage blood leaks into surrounding tissue this blood tends to coagulate or clot. The greater the amount of bleeding that occurs, the larger the amount of clot hematoma formation.

4. What are the types of hematoma? epidural hematoma Occur because of trauma often to the temple where the middle meningeal artery is located bleeding accumulates in the epidural space outside the dura which is the lining of the brain. Because of the way the dura is attached to the skull, small hematomas can cause significant pressure and brain injury. Subdural hematoma Also occur because of trauma but the injury is usually to the veins in the brain. This causes a slower leak of blood which enters subdural space below the dura. The space below the dura has much more room for blood to accumulate before brain function suffer.

5. Intracerebral hematoma Occur within the brain tissue itself intracerebral hematoma may be due to bleeding from uncontrolled high blood pressure an aneurysm leak or rapture, trauma, tumor, or stroke. scalp hematoma Occur on the outside of the skull and often can be felt as a bump on the head. Because the injury is to the skin and muscle layers outside of the skull the scalp hematoma itself cannot press on the brain. Ear hematoma May occur if any injury causes bleeding to the outside helix or cartilage structure of the ear. Often called boxer’s ear becomes trapped between the thin layer of the skin and the cartilage itself. Septal hematoma Occur with nasal trauma. A septal hematoma may form associated with broken nose. If not recognized and treated the cartilage can break down and cause a perforation of the septum.

6. Intramuscular hematomas can be very painful due to the amount of swelling and inflammation. Some muscles are surrounded by tough bands of tissue. If enough bleeding occurs, the pressure within these compartments can increase to the point that " compartment syndrome " can occur. In this situation, the blood supply of the muscle is compromised and the muscle and other structures such as nerves can be permanently damaged. This is most commonly seen in the lower leg and forearm. Subungual hematomas are the result of crush injuries to the fingers or toes. Bleeding from a subungual hematoma occurs under the fingernail or toenail and since it is trapped, pressure builds causing pain. Trephination, or drilling a hole through the nail to remove the  blood clot , relieves the pressure and resolves the injury. Over time, the nail repairs itself.

7. Subcutaneous hematomas are  bruises  and  contusions  of the skin (ecchymosis). These occur due to trauma or injuries to the superficial blood vessels under the skin. Individuals who take  anticoagulant  medication are more prone to subcutaneous hematomas. Intra-abdominal hematomas means bleeding within the abdomen (intra-abdominal cavity). There are multiple causes of intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Some of the possible causes are  trauma , ruptures of diseased blood vessels or organs, tumors, aneurysms,  pancreatitis ,  ectopic pregnancy , and complications of surgical procedures

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