What is the main cause of an epidural hematoma?

The main cause of an epidural hematoma is arterial bleeding that occurs between the skull and the dura mater. This type of hematoma is typically associated with trauma to the head, especially from skull fractures that tear the meningeal arteries. When these arteries rupture, they rapidly fill the space between the skull and the dura mater with blood, which can create significant pressure on the brain.

This situation often leads to a characteristic clinical presentation, where symptoms may develop quickly after the injury, sometimes referred to as a "lucid interval," where the patient might initially seem fine before deteriorating as the hematoma expands. The rapid accumulation of blood in an epidural hematoma, primarily from arterial sources, differentiates it from other types of brain hemorrhages, such as subdural hematomas, which are more commonly associated with venous bleeding. Understanding the importance of the arterial source in epidural hematomas is crucial for timely recognition and intervention to prevent serious neurological damage.