Sun28November0333PM 50

Regarding extradural haematoma which of the following is correct?

(Please select 1 option)

Usually associated with lucid interval

Not usually associated with a skull fracture

Limited by suture lines Correct

Usually due to damage to the posterior branch of the middle meningeal artery

Typically biconcave on a CT scan

Explanation

Extradural haematoma is usually due to damage to the anterior branch of the middle meningeal artery.

Because the dura has strong attachments to the cranium along the suture lines, contrary to subdural haematomas, extradural haematomas are limited by the suture lines. Due to this feature they have a characteristic biconvex appearance on a CT scan.

Though the majority are associated with a skull fracture this is not always the case; it could result from a direct local impact (coup) without a fracture. Frequently the initial injury is not severe, often a blow to the temporal regions (for example, with a cricket ball) where the relatively thin skull overlies the meningeal artery could lead to an extradural haematoma.

The well-described 'lucid interval' of an extradural haematoma is in fact less common than most of us have been taught. It occurs in less than 20% of patients. The majority of patients progressively deteriorate from the time of injury.

Answer Statistics

1

43%

2

3%

3

33%

4

7%

5

15%

Times answered: 291