CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What is a subdural hematoma?

1. Arterial bleeding between the meninges

2. Venous bleeding from ruptured veins between the dura and meninges

3. Capillary bleeding in the brain tissue

4. Intracranial bleeding in the ventricles

The correct answer is: Venous bleeding from ruptured veins between the dura and meninges

A subdural hematoma refers specifically to venous bleeding that occurs between the dura mater and the arachnoid layer of the meninges. This type of hemorrhage typically results from the tearing of the bridging veins that cross the subdural space, often due to head trauma. The blood accumulates slowly, and the symptoms may not present immediately, sometimes taking days or weeks to appear. Understanding the mechanism of a subdural hematoma is crucial because it guides the clinical management and treatment approaches. The correct identification of this condition helps differentiate it from other types of hematomas, such as epidural hematomas, which involve arterial bleeding, or intraparenchymal bleeding, which occurs within the actual brain tissue rather than in the spaces between the meninges. Therefore, knowing that a subdural hematoma is associated with venous bleeding is essential for proper diagnosis and understanding of its clinical implications.