It is usually brought on by head trauma, and the severity, effects, and recovery can vary.

The treatment can help remove blood, reduce pressure around the brain, and prevent permanent brain damage.

Symptoms may include:

Sometimes, a subdural hematoma occurs suddenly, with rapid accumulation of blood.

Large subacute subdural hematoma on a CT scan of the brain

Sopone Nawoot / Getty Images

If the blood causes significant pressure on the brain, a subdural hematoma can cause coma or death.

What About Asymptomatic Bleeds?

This can occur if the blood spreads in a thin layer, with minimal pressure on the brain.

A subacute subdural hematoma can be asymptomatic for a few days until symptoms are recognized.

What Is a Hematoma?

An acute subdural hematoma is usually actively bleeding, while a chronic subdural hematoma has mainly clotted blood.

Causes and Risk Factors

Most of the time, a subdural hematoma is caused byhead trauma.

The brain is protected by the skull bone, as well as a sheet of tissue calledthe meninges.

A subdural hematoma develops when theres bleeding between the dura layer and the pia layer.

Emergency Treatment

The immediate treatment for a subdural hematoma can range from emergency surgery to medical observation.

Many people who have a subdural hematoma do not need surgery and can recover with medical management.

Survival Statistics

Survival varies after a subdural hematoma.

Several factors can affect outcomes.

Another study examined people with acute subdural hematoma.

This quick test can detect blood, allowing a prompt diagnosis.

Recovery

Recovery is possible after a subdural hematoma.

Often, people have some disability after recovery, and sometimes the effects can be fatal.

The sooner you get medical treatment, the more likely you are to have a good recovery.

Coping With Long-Term Changes

Sometimes a brain bleed can cause permanent brain damage.

Then, you’re free to have a plan for rehabilitation and coping.

Types of Specialists Involved

The diagnosis and treatment of a subdural hematoma involve several steps.

During this process, you might see several different specialists.

This bang out of bleed is usually triggered by trauma and can range in size and effects.

Its important to get immediate medical attention after head trauma.

If you have any symptoms of a brain bleed, prompt medical treatment can help improve your outcome.

Naylor RM, Braksick SA.Contemporary management of subdural hematoma.Neurol Clin.

2025;167(1):66. doi:10.1007/s00701-025-06475-x

MedlinePlus.Subdural hematoma.

2024;4(1):e000906.