Definition

Cerebral hematoma involves bleeding into the cerebrum, the largest section of the brain, resulting in an expanding mass of blood that damages surrounding neural tissue.

Description

A hematoma is a swelling of blood confined to an organ or tissue, caused by hemorrhaging from a break in one or more blood vessels. As a cerebral hematoma grows, it damages or kills the surrounding brain tissue by compressing it and restricting its blood supply, producing the symptoms of stroke. The hematoma eventually stops growing as the blood clots, the pressure cuts off its blood supply, or both.

Cerebral hematomas are categorized by their diameter and estimated volume as small, moderate, or massive. The neurologic effects produced by a cerebral hematoma are quite variable, and depend on its location, size, and duration (length of time...