Occipital hematoma
A hematoma (collection of blood) in the occipital region (at the back of the head). An occipital hematoma may be either subdural or epidural.
In an occipital epidural hematoma, the bleeding occurs between the skull and the dura (the brain cover). The bleeding is from an injury to a vein or a branch of the posterior meningeal artery. Occipital epidural hematoma is often caused by a full-on blow to the head and may be associated with a skull fracture.
In an occipital subdural hematoma, the bleeding is into the space between the dura and the brain itself. As the hematoma enlarges, it can put increasing pressure on the brain and cause neurological abnormalities including slurred speech, impaired gait, and dizziness and lead to coma and even death.
The diagnosis of an occipital hematoma, whether it be epidural or subdural, may be confirmed by MRI or CAT scan. Treatment may range from watchful waiting in the case of a small epidural bleed to trepanation — drilling through the skull to drain the excess blood.
Read Also:
- Occlude
1 To close, obstruct, or prevent the passage. To occlude an artery is to occlude the flow of blood. 2 To bring together. To occlude the teeth is to align the upper and lower teeth, as for chewing.
- Occult
Hidden. For example, occult blood in the stool is hidden from the eye but can be detected by chemical tests.
- Occult stool blood test
A test to check for microscopic blood in the feces or stool.
- Occupational disease
A disease that is due to a factor in a person?s work. For example, an occupational disease for coal miners is lung disease.
- Occupational medicine
The field of medicine that encompasses occupational diseases. Occupational medicine was founded in 1700 by the Italian physician Bernardino Ramazzini, who recognized the relationship between lead and antimony and the symptoms of poisoning in painters and other artisans exposed to them. Ramazzini also first recognized miners? lung disease.