PMID: 15250192Jul 15, 2004Paper

Subdural hematoma. Presentation and management in older adults

Geriatrics
Bernard Karnath

Abstract

Subdural hematomas pose diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties in older adults. Presenting signs and symptoms of subdural hematomas--headache, confusion, ataxia, and hemiparesis--can mimic other diseases such as dementia, stroke, transient ischemic attacks, neoplasm, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. Patients with subdural hematomas and focal neurologic signs should be considered for surgical Intervention, whereas asymptomatic patients or patients with only complaints of a headache can be managed medically or followed with serial neuroimaging by computed tomography. Patients who have been chronically anticoagulated pose a dilemma when they present with a subdural hematoma.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Ataxias

Ataxia is a neurological condition characterized by lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements including loss of coordination, balance, and speech. Discover the latest research on different types of ataxias here.

Ataxias (MDS)

Ataxia is a neurological condition characterized by lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements including loss of coordination, balance, and speech. Discover the latest research on ataxia here.

Ataxia

Ataxia is a neurological condition characterized by lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements including loss of coordination, balance, and speech. Discover the latest research on ataxia here.