The occuring time and risk factors of progressive epidural hemorrhage after head trauma

Objective Epidural progressive hemorrhage(EDPH) after head injury is often observed in emergency ward, but its prognosis is undetermined, this study investigated the duration and the risk factors of progressive epidural hemorrhage. Methods The diagnosis of EDPH was determined by comparing the first and second CT scans. Potential risk factors as the sex, age, location of hematoma,fracture of skull and the duration of injury to the first CT scan were analyzed. Results In a cohort of 174 patients, the EDPH were found in 53 patients (30.50%) after the second scan; and among them, 26 patients(14.96%) were necessary to tube craniotomy for evacuation of hematoma; and most of the EDPH occured within 24 hours after injury. Male, older age, shorter duration from injury to the first CT scan were the predominant factors of EDPH. Conclusions EDPH occurs in almost 1/3 of head injury patients with epidural hematoma, predominantly in males, older age, shorter duration between the injury and the first CT scan. CT scan within 12 hours post injury is very important in revealing the exact condition of the patient