Hematoma on the head

A hematoma on the head is a hemorrhage that occurs after a blow or sudden pressure by a hard object or surface. With this damage, blood accumulates in the tissues, not pouring out.

[1], [2], [3], [4]

Causes of hematoma in the head

Interstitial blood outpouring (hematoma) occurs when blood vessels are damaged deep in the tissues. The cause can be a direct injury to the head of a different nature (in road accidents, falls, headings, etc.). External manifestations of a hematoma (visible wound surface, external bleeding) in such situations are not necessary, hemorrhage in the deeper layers of the tissue may not produce itself, or it may appear only a slight swelling.

The most at risk of hematoma patients are constantly taking drugs that reduce blood clotting (heparin, neodikumarin and others), or inhibit platelet aggregation (acetylsalicylic acid, sodium citrate, etc.). Also at risk are the elderly and abusing alcohol and smoking because of their inherent increased fragility of blood vessels.

Unfortunately, trauma is not the only factor in the occurrence of hematoma. The causes may be blood diseases ( hemophilia, leukemia), autoimmune diseases, malignant tissue neoplasms.

The occurrence of hematoma in newborns due to the load, squeezing the head of the baby when passing through the birth canal. In premature babies, hematoma on the head can occur due to weak, underdeveloped tissues of the child’s body.

[5], [6]

Hematoma on the head after the fall

External manifestations of hematoma after a fall do not always correspond to the level of damage. Internal hemorrhages in the tissue may not be visible.

If there is a significant injury with severe symptoms of impaired brain function, you should immediately call an ambulance.

As for the relatively light headers, especially in children, it is much harder to diagnose pathology in time. Children fall a lot and often, and you should not raise a panic at the slightest fall, although it is imperative to look at the child. A small hematoma on the head usually goes away in a week, especially if in the first minutes after the impact a cold compress or ice is applied to the injured area, wrapping it in a towel beforehand.

The most important point is to determine whether internal hemorrhages have not caused a fall. The most characteristic signs of such a condition:

• confusion or loss of consciousness;
• speech disorders;
• odd behavior;
• severe excitement, or, conversely, drowsiness;
• persistent headache;
• convulsive state;
• nausea;
• movement disorder;
• weakness in the limbs;
• different pupil size.

If there is at least one of these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.

[7], [8], [9]

Hematoma of the head after injury

Bruising is a blunt blow to the head, usually causes a closed hematoma to appear without visible damage to the skin.

Severe bruises can be characterized by severe impairment of consciousness, nausea, which indicates damage to brain tissue. In such a state, it is necessary to call an ambulance and provide the patient with maximum peace by applying cold to the injury site.

The effects of a head hematoma after a bruise can be different, and this depends on many circumstances. Some bruises are minor, and recovery occurs within a few days. But there are injuries, at first glance, not severe, which cause the appearance of internal hematomas, which can lead to quite serious consequences. Hemorrhage can occur in the brain or near its shells: a semi-fluid accumulation of blood puts pressure on the brain tissue and provokes its deformation. As a result, some functions controlled by the brain are violated: respiration, coordination, etc. The sooner a brain damage is diagnosed, the more favorable the prognosis.

[10], [11], [12]

Generic hematoma on the head

Generic hematoma on the head usually disappears without any consequences for the child. Such an injury appears quite often and does not pose any danger. This is visible swelling at the site of squeezing of tissues during the passage of the birth canal, resulting from blood and lymphostasis. The edema soon fades away, and the hematoma is absorbed.

Of course, there are unpleasant exceptions to the rule: generic hematomas can increase in children with low blood clotting. This condition can be triggered by a hereditary factor, a lack of vitamins K and P, some trace elements responsible for the permeability of the vascular wall.

In such situations, treatment is required: the introduction of drugs for blood coagulation, vitamin complexes.

In severe cases, a pyogenic infection can join the hematoma. To prevent this, breastfeeding the baby will be the best prevention: the immunostimulants and vitamins contained in mother's milk will help the baby's body to cope with unwanted bacteria.

[13]

Hematoma symptoms in the head

According to options for the location of hematomas, you can define three of its main types:

• subcutaneous location is the occurrence of hemorrhage in the subcutaneous space without damaging the skin structure;
• intramuscular placement is a hematoma in the intramuscular space; subcutaneous and intramuscular hematomas are very similar in symptoms (painful, swollen skin, perhaps with a bluish tinge), and are usually not dangerous for patients;
• intra-hematomas proper, in turn, subdivided into epidurals (hematomas in the subcranial region) and subdural (hematomas of the meninges).

Hematomas on the head have a number of characteristics: pain at the site of appearance, the presence of swelling, discoloration of the skin to bluish, then greenish-purple. Local temperature change is allowed.

When intracranial hematomas appear signs of excessive pressure on the tissue and impaired brain function (headache, disorders of consciousness, nausea, drowsiness, in severe cases, a coma may develop). During the examination, a violation of intracranial pressure, bradycardia, increased blood pressure (or asymmetry), non-inflammatory swelling of the optic nerve, different sizes of pupils, manifestations of epilepsy are also found.

[14]

Hematoma on the head of a child

Unfortunately, a hematoma on a child’s head is quite a common occurrence; a baby may fall from a crib, chair, or steps. Due to the impact on the affected area, there is a change in the skin and a sharp pain when pressed.

The features of the children's skeletal system are in its weakness and vulnerability, therefore the risk factor for hematoma in children is more pronounced than in adults. Hematomas in babies up to 3 years old are the most severe.

Symptoms of internal hematoma of the head appear immediately after the injury. This is a violation of consciousness, agitation, or, conversely, apathy in a child, nausea, headache. For any of these manifestations, be sure to consult a doctor.

Small and shallow hematomas do not require hospitalization: a tight bandage is applied to the child, a cold compress is applied, it is possible to use painkillers. Hematomas of considerable size are punctured to remove the contents and an occlusive bandage is applied; lesions complicated by suppuration and infection, open and install drainage.

Any hematoma on a children's head should not leave parents indifferent. For the prevention of serious consequences should be carried out comprehensive diagnosis and prescribed the necessary timely treatment.

[15], [16], [17], [18], [19]

Hematoma on the head of a newborn

Hematoma on the head of a newborn occurs due to a severe generic period, a long stay of the head in the pelvic region and excessive pressure on it. This often occurs during prolonged labor, with multiple pregnancies, in the presence of a large fetus or a narrow pelvis in the parturient woman. The difference between external and intrauterine pressure also plays a role, which leads to damage to the capillaries and small vessels. Hematoma can appear in any area of the head, on the face of a newborn.

Premature babies are most at risk of hematomas, their tissues and blood vessels are so tender that they react very easily to even a slight squeeze.

The most common type of hematoma in an unborn child is cephalhematoma, characterized by the appearance of swelling in any area of the head. This swelling is nothing more than a small hemorrhage between the bone tissue of the skull and the periosteum. Moreover, the skin in this case can not be modified. Such hematomas can occur in 2% of newborns.

[20], [21], [22], [23], [24]

The effects of head hematoma in newborns

The presence of a head hematoma in a newly born child is very unpleasant, but not always dangerous. It is necessary to carefully observe the damage, under favorable circumstances, it passes without consequences within two weeks, or up to a month, depending on the size of the hematoma. In the absence of visible improvement, it is imperative to show the child to the doctor, who, after conducting the examination and necessary research, will assess the situation and prescribe treatment. You may have to aspirate the hematoma. This is a simple procedure, but thanks to it the baby will instantly feel relief. If blood is not removed, unpleasant consequences may occur in the form of suppuration of a hematoma, ossification of its individual sections, which will eventually manifest as deformation of the head.

The ideal course of a newborn hematoma is independent slow resorption without medical intervention. After the first week, it gradually decreases, and after three to five weeks there is no trace of it. If the hemorrhage is large enough, it may take a little longer to fully recover. The main sign that the process is normalized is a slow but steady decrease in the size and severity of education.

In case of any doubts or suspicions about the static nature of the process, it is recommended to visit a specialist.

Hypodermic hematoma on the head

Subcutaneous hematoma on the head is formed when blood penetrates the nearby tissues through the damaged vascular walls. As a rule, this is a hemorrhage without compromising the integrity of the skin. It appears as a result of a fall and head injury, especially when taking anticoagulants, or in people suffering from coagulation disorders.

Subcutaneous hematoma first has a bluish tinge, changing to a yellow-green for several days.

The dimensions of subcutaneous hemorrhage can be much larger than it seems from the outside. This can lead to some unpleasant consequences: it is excessive pressure on the tissue, the development of a local inflammatory process, suppuration.

If the subcutaneous hematoma does not resolve for a long time, there is pain when pressed, a headache - it makes sense to turn to a traumatologist.

Subcutaneous hematoma in a child also requires constant monitoring of the general condition: young children are not always able to say that they are concerned, so the observation of the parents and a certain approach to the child will avoid unnecessary consequences.

[25], [26], [27]

Hematoma of the soft tissues of the head

Hematoma of the soft tissue, in addition to hemorrhage, is characterized by the destruction of subcutaneous tissue, elements of muscle tissue and blood vessels.

Small hematomas occur due to minor mechanical effects, which do not violate the overall functionality of the body, are manifested only by cyanosis of the skin and pain when pressed.

Moderate hematomas can appear only a few hours after exposure. At the site of the lesion, swelling and tenderness appear. The average degree of hemorrhage may not require special treatment, except for applying a tight squeezing bandage on the site of injury.

With significant hematoma of soft tissues, the symptoms increase within one and a half hours. Hemorrhage into the tissues can be long, which will require an examination of the doctor and the appointment of some additional types of diagnostics (for example, x-rays or computed tomography) to choose the right treatment strategy.

[28]

Hematoma treatment

Therapeutic measures aimed at eliminating traces of hemorrhage, are selected depending on the size and nature of the hematoma. If the hematoma has a superficial location, it is possible to confine yourself to the usual home treatment: apply cold or ice to the injury site, apply a tight squeeze bandage. These methods will allow to block the bleeding vessels and stop the hemorrhage. After a couple of days, already warm compresses are shown to speed up the resorption of the blood clot. For the same purpose, physical procedures, the use of heparin ointment, bodyagi, creams with extracts of medicinal leeches are shown.

With a significant accumulation of blood between the tissues, skin puncture and aspiration of the accumulated fluid is performed. This procedure is carried out in a hospital.

If the blood in the tissues continues to accumulate, the hematoma is opened, the damaged vessels are ligated.

Treatment of hematoma on the head with conservative methods includes the appointment of analgesics, sometimes bactericidal and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as vitamin therapy.

Epidural hematoma is subject to surgical treatment.

[29], [30], [31], [32]

Removal of hematoma in the head

The choice of options for surgery for internal hematomas depends on the location of the formation and the severity of the injury. Therefore, first conduct a qualified neurosurgical examination, including computed and magnetic resonance imaging, the study of blood vessels.

Shallow intramuscular hematomas are removed by opening the formation, ligation of the bleeding vessels and stitching. Such uncomplicated hemorrhages have a favorable prognosis.

Intracranial hematoma is removed by resection and osteoplastic craniotomy, in which blood clots are removed through a mouthpiece.

Hematoma must be removed completely. Incomplete removal can cause serious consequences, and even death.

Treatment of hematoma in newborns is carried out with the help of laser treatment or by surgery. In both cases, the doctor stops the bleeding by blocking the bleeding vessels, and removes the hematoma completely.

Take care of yourself and your children, in emergency situations do not be afraid to consult a doctor. Any head injury should not be overlooked, be it a bruise, a wound or a hematoma on the head.

[33], [34]