Acute CT Brain
Extra-axial haemorrhage

Key points

  • Extradural haematoma forms a lens-shaped collection
  • Subdural haematoma forms a crescent-shaped collection
  • Blood due to subarachnoid haemorrhage occupies the CSF spaces - sulci, fissures, ventricles, basal cisterns

Intracranial bleeding is either intra-axial (in the brain) or extra-axial (outside the brain).

There are three types of extra-axial haemorrhage: extradural haematoma, subdural haematoma, and subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Extradural haematoma

Extradural (or epidural) haematoma is a post-traumatic event resulting from injury to an intracranial artery, most commonly the middle meningeal artery. Leakage from an injured artery results in collection of blood which strips the dura mater away from the inner table of the skull.

Extradural haematoma results in formation of a lens-shaped collection. This is because the dura mater is strongly adhered to the skull in the region of the sutures. Stripping of the dura from the skull is limited at these points resulting in limitation of the extent of a collection.

Extradural haematoma - CT brain

Hover on/off image to show/hide findings

Tap on/off image to show/hide findings

Click image to align with top of page

Extradural haematoma

  • A lens-shaped collection has formed following trauma to the left side of the head
  • Note the collection of blood is limited at the points of the sutures
  • This is the typical appearance of an extradural haematoma
  • There was no accompanying fracture in this case (don't forget to check the bone windows)

Subdural haematoma

The cerebral veins are fragile. Risk of injury to these veins is increased in elderly and anti-coagulated patients. Subdural haematoma may result from minor trauma. There is often no clear history of trauma at all.

A subdural collection is not limited by the attachment points of the dura to bone, as is seen in an extradural haematoma. The result is the formation of a crescent-shaped collection. The arachnoid remains intact and so blood does not pass into the sulci.

Subdural haematoma - CT brain

Hover on/off image to show/hide findings

Tap on/off image to show/hide findings

Click image to align with top of page

Subdural haematoma

  • A large crescent-shaped collection is seen over the left side of the brain
  • The collection is of high density material due to the presence of clotted blood
  • There is no blood extending into the sulci
  • The sulci on the side of the haematoma are partially effaced indicating 'mass effect'

Subarachnoid haemorrhage

Subarachnoid haemorrhage is commonly associated with trauma or spontaneous bleeding from an intracranial aneurysm. Aneurysms are only visible on conventional CT images if they are large.

Less frequently, subarachnoid haemorrhage is due to spontaneous bleeding from a congenital arteriovenous malformation or spontaneous bleeding from the veins around the brain stem (perimesencephalic subarachnoid haemorrhage).

Small foramina connect the subarachnoid space with the fourth ventricle. Blood due to a subarachnoid haemorrhage can, therefore, pass into any part of the CSF spaces: sulci, fissures, basal cisterns or ventricles.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage - CT brain

Hover on/off image to show/hide findings

Tap on/off image to show/hide findings

Click image to align with top of page

Subarachnoid haemorrhage

  • Dense blood (white) is seen filling the basal cisterns, fissures and the fourth ventricle

Subarachnoid haemorrhage - Ventricular blood

Hover on/off image to show/hide findings

Tap on/off image to show/hide findings

Click image to align with top of page

Subarachnoid haemorrhage - Ventricular blood

  • Subarachnoid haemorrhage may result in blood collecting in the ventricles
  • Occasionally a layer of blood in the ventricles is the only sign

Subarachnoid haemorrhage - Sulcal blood

Hover on/off image to show/hide findings

Tap on/off image to show/hide findings

Click image to align with top of page

Subarachnoid haemorrhage - Sulcal blood

  • Blood within the subarachnoid space is seen in a sulcus of the left cerebral hemisphere
  • This may be a subtle finding only seen on a few slices

Page author: Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust UK (Read bio)

Last reviewed: July 2019