Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Acute head trauma is one of the most common causes of emergency hospital admissions and its two important complications are subdural haematomas and epidural haematomas, for which the CT scan is a main tool of diagnosis. Differentiation of this two haematoms is important and the ability of CT scan to differentiate them always been in question.

This descriptive study aims to evaluate the ability of CT scan in diagnosing and differentiating SDH and EDH by reviewing 80 patients admitted Hospitals during the year 1999 and reports the results of CT scan in comparison with surgical findings.

The results of study showed that the CT scan is highly sensitive in diagnosing and differentiating these two haematomas. Also the haematoma shape and extension are valuable in differentiating these haematomas, but associated skull fracture or brain injury are not sensitive factors.