Final answer:
A patient with an extradural haemorrhage would present with symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and possibly loss of consciousness due to increased intracranial pressure from a hematoma. Early symptoms might be subtle, but without treatment, pressure can rapidly increase, leading to severe outcomes, including death. Prompt medical attention and potentially surgical intervention are critical.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient with an extradural haemorrhage, also known as an epidural hematoma, would typically present with symptoms resulting from increased intracranial pressure due to blood accumulation between the dura mater and the skull. If the condition follows a strong blow to the head, particularly at the pterion where a major artery lies, it is possible that the initial symptoms may not be immediately apparent. However, as the hematoma grows, the patient might experience a range of symptoms including a severe headache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, and possible loss of consciousness. If untreated, the pressure on the brain can rapidly increase, leading to herniation and death.
In Figure 16.3, we learn that a hemorrhagic stroke due to an intraparenchymal haemorrhage can also present with similar issues of increased intracranial pressure and subsequent edema, which displaces brain structures and compromises function. Similarly, damage to the vasculature and the resultant pooling of blood in the nervous tissue can exacerbate the injury, highlighting the seriousness of vascular injuries within the cranial vault.
The symptoms and timeline of an extradural haemorrhage highlight the importance of prompt medical intervention. Initial management often includes stabilizing the patient and confirming the diagnosis through imaging, usually via a CT scan. Therapeutic approaches may involve surgical intervention to evacuate the hematoma and reduce the intracranial pressure, thereby preventing further damage to the brain.