The language of the scan, in plain English.

31 terms

Acute subdural hematoma

A recent bleed, typically after head trauma. Blood is often bright on CT. It can expand quickly and may need emergency surgery. Read more →

Anticoagulant

Also: blood thinner, DOAC, warfarin

A medicine that reduces clotting. It can raise bleeding risk and complicate a subdural hematoma. Do not stop it without the treating team. Read more →

Antiplatelet

Also: aspirin, clopidogrel, Plavix

A medicine that makes platelets less sticky. Like anticoagulants, it can increase bleeding risk and should only be changed by the treating team. Read more →

Arachnoid

The middle meningeal layer. The subdural space is the potential plane between dura and arachnoid.

Bridging veins

Veins that cross from the brain’s surface to the dural sinuses. Stretching or tearing them—especially in an older, more atrophic brain—can cause a subdural hematoma. Read more →

Burr hole

A small opening in the skull used to drain a liquid or mixed chronic collection, often with a temporary drain. Read more →

Catheter

A thin, flexible tube advanced through an artery to treat vessels from the inside, as in MMA embolization.

Chronic subdural hematoma

Also: cSDH

An older collection that persists or develops over weeks. Often seen in older adults after a minor fall. May be observed, drained, treated with MMA embolization, or a combination. Read more →

Contrast

A dye used in some X-ray, CT, or angiographic studies to show blood vessels. MMA embolization uses contrast to map the vessels.

Craniotomy

A larger surgical opening of the skull, used when clot is solid, the bleed is complex, or more exposure is needed. Read more →

Dura mater

Also: dura

The outermost of the three meninges, the protective layers around the brain. A subdural hematoma forms just beneath it.

Embolic material

Also: particles, liquid embolic

The agent delivered through a catheter to block a vessel. The specific material is chosen for the anatomy and the operator’s plan.

Endovascular

Treatment performed from within the blood vessels, usually through a small puncture at the wrist or groin rather than opening the skull.

Epidural hematoma

Also: extradural hematoma

Blood between the skull and the dura, classically arterial (often middle meningeal artery) after skull fracture. Typically lens-shaped and limited by cranial sutures. Read more →

GCS

Also: Glasgow Coma Scale

A 3–15 score of eye, verbal, and motor responses used to describe alertness after brain injury. Lower scores indicate a more impaired exam.

Herniation

Shift of brain tissue beyond its normal compartments because of pressure. This is a life-threatening emergency.

Hyperdense

Brighter than brain on CT. Typical of acute blood.

Hypodense

Darker than brain on CT. Typical of chronic (older) blood or fluid.

Isodense

Similar brightness to brain on CT. Subacute blood can be isodense and harder to see without careful review or MRI.

Mass effect

Pressure from a collection that compresses adjacent brain. Large mass effect can shift structures and become an emergency. Read more →

Membranes

Inflamed, vessel-rich layers that can form around a chronic subdural hematoma and contribute to ongoing leakage and recurrence.

Middle meningeal artery

Also: MMA

An artery that supplies the dura. In chronic subdural hematoma, branches can feed fragile membranes around the collection. Read more →

Midline shift

Displacement of the brain’s midline, usually measured in millimeters on CT. Greater shift generally signals more pressure and greater urgency. Read more →

Mixed density

Both brighter and darker blood in one collection, which can indicate blood of different ages or active rebleeding.

MMA embolization

Also: MMAE, middle meningeal artery embolization

A catheter procedure that blocks selected MMA branches supplying chronic subdural membranes, to help the collection resolve and reduce recurrence. Read more →

Neurologic deficit

A loss of function such as weakness, numbness, speech difficulty, or vision change caused by a nervous-system problem.

Observation

A planned strategy of serial exams and repeat imaging for a small, stable collection—not the same as ignoring the diagnosis. Read more →

Recurrence

Return or re-expansion of a subdural collection after treatment. Chronic hematomas are particularly known for this; MMAE can lower the risk in selected patients. Read more →

Seizure

A burst of abnormal brain activity that can cause shaking, staring, confusion, or loss of awareness. New seizure after head injury is an emergency.

Subacute subdural hematoma

A collection evolving between the acute and chronic stages, often days to a few weeks old. Symptoms and scan findings determine urgency.

Subdural hematoma

Also: SDH, subdural hemorrhage, subdural bleed

A collection of blood between the dura (the tough outer covering of the brain) and the arachnoid. It sits outside brain tissue but can still press on the brain. Read more →

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