Occipital hematoma refers to a blood accumulation at the rear of the head. This type of hematoma can manifest as either epidural or subdural. In an occipital epidural hematoma, the bleeding takes place between the skull and the brain's protective covering, usually due to injury to a vein or a branch of the meningeal artery. Such hematomas are often the result of a direct impact to the head and may be linked to a skull fracture. On the other hand, an occipital subdural hematoma involves bleeding into the space separating the dura mater and the brain itself. As the hematoma grows, it can exert increasing pressure on the brain, potentially leading to symptoms like slurred speech, impaired coordination, dizziness, and in severe cases, coma or death. Diagnosing an occipital hematoma, whether epidural or subdural, typically involves the use of MRI or CT scans. Treatment options vary depending on severity, ranging from careful observation for minor epidural bleeds to surgical intervention, such as trepanation, to relieve pressure by draining the accumulated blood.
