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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDiagnosing an intracranial hematoma can be difficult because individuals may seem fine after an injury. However, doctors generally presume that the progressive loss of consciousness after a head injury is caused by a hemorrhage inside the skull until proved otherwise.
The best method to define the position and size of a hematoma is by an imaging technique. These include:
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan uses a sophisticated X-ray machine linked to a computer to produce detailed images of your brain. You lie still on a movable table that's guided into what looks like an enormous doughnut where the images are taken. CT is the most commonly used imaging scan to diagnose intracranial hematomas.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. An MRI scan is done using a large magnet and radio waves to make computerized images. During an MRI scan, you lie on a movable table that's guided into a tube, or tunnel. MRIs generally aren't used as often as CT in the diagnoses of intracranial hematomas because the test takes longer to perform and isn't as widely available.
- Traumatic brain injury: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/detail_tbi.htm. Accessed May 9, 2009.
- Traumatic brain injury. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec21/ch310/ch310a.html#S21_CH310_T001. Accessed May 11, 2009.
- Smith ML, et al. Neurosurgery. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill, Medical; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=820106. Accessed May 8, 2009.
- Facts about concussion and brain injury. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/tbi/tbibook.pdf. Accessed May 8, 2009.
- Moulton RJ, et al. Head injury and intracranial hypertension. In: Hall JB, et al. Principles of Critical Care. 3rd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill, Medical; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2297849. Accessed May 8, 2009.
- Ropper AH. Concussion and other head injuries. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2904523. Accessed May 12, 2009.
- Rordorf G. Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/index/home.html. Accessed May 12, 2009.
