Which factor increases the risk of subdural hematoma?

Which factor increases the risk of subdural hematoma?

• A. Young age with no brain atrophy.
• B. Chronic hypertension.
• C. Recent head trauma in a young athlete.
• D. Older age with brain atrophy.

Answer: (D)

Subdural hematomas form when the bridging veins between the brain surface and the dural sinuses tear and bleed into the subdural space. As people age, the brain often atrophies and shrinks, which enlarges the subdural space. This extra space puts the bridging veins under more tension, so they’re more easily torn by even minor head movements or small bumps. That increased vulnerability with brain atrophy explains why older individuals are at higher risk for subdural hematomas. The other scenarios don’t create that same predisposition. Being young with no brain atrophy means the bridging veins aren’t as stretched, so the risk from minor trauma is not as high. Chronic hypertension tends to cause other types of bleeding, like deep intracerebral hemorrhages, rather than subdural bleeding. A recent head trauma in a young athlete can cause a subdural hematoma, but the underlying risk factor that makes it more likely overall is the age-related brain atrophy.

Subdural hematomas form when the bridging veins between the brain surface and the dural sinuses tear and bleed into the subdural space. As people age, the brain often atrophies and shrinks, which enlarges the subdural space. This extra space puts the bridging veins under more tension, so they’re more easily torn by even minor head movements or small bumps. That increased vulnerability with brain atrophy explains why older individuals are at higher risk for subdural hematomas.

The other scenarios don’t create that same predisposition. Being young with no brain atrophy means the bridging veins aren’t as stretched, so the risk from minor trauma is not as high. Chronic hypertension tends to cause other types of bleeding, like deep intracerebral hemorrhages, rather than subdural bleeding. A recent head trauma in a young athlete can cause a subdural hematoma, but the underlying risk factor that makes it more likely overall is the age-related brain atrophy.