Brain Chronic Subdural Hematoma

An internal brain hemorrhage is called a subdural hematoma. It’s a hemorrhage that happens in the skull but not in the brain itself. Within the space between your skull and brain tissue are three layers of membrane (called meninges). The meninges line the brain and spinal cord to shield the brain from injury.

Subdural hematomas result from a rupture in a blood vessel, usually a vein, and the bleeding into the subdural region. Because it lies beneath the dura, this area is referred to as the subdural space. Subdural hemorrhage is the medical term for bleeding into this area.

Between the surface of the brain and the brain’s outer coating, a chronic subdural hematoma can gather blood and blood breakdown products over time (the dura). Once a subdural hematoma has bled for a while, it has entered its chronic phase. A chronic subdural collection develops when blood seeps from veins over time or when a sudden bleed is ignored.

The natural atrophy of the brain with advancing age increases the likelihood of a subdural hematoma in the elderly. The veins that connect the tissues are stretched and weakened by the shrinking. For elderly people, even a mild concussion can cause these veins to rupture. It’s possible that you and/or your loved ones cannot recall a recent injury that might account for this.