What Is a Subdural Hygroma?

When the head suffers trauma, the injury can affect the delicate membranes that protect the brain. These membranes can tear, creating spaces where fluid accumulates. A subdural hygroma is one such condition that can develop after a head injury, potentially causing complications weeks or months later.

So, what is a subdural hygroma? It's an abnormal collection of cerebrospinal fluid that builds up in the subdural space—the narrow area between the brain's surface and its protective outer covering. This clear fluid gradually accumulates when the brain's protective membranes are damaged, creating pressure that can compress brain tissue.

Brain Injury Law Center knows how a subdural hygroma can affect victims and their families, especially when caused by someone else's negligence.

If you're dealing with medical expenses and concerns following your injury, call (757) 244-7000 to speak with an experienced brain injury lawyer or contact us online for a free case review.

How It Happens: Causes of Subdural Hygroma

A subdural hygroma forms when the arachnoid membrane, one of the brain's protective layers, tears or ruptures. The damaged membrane acts like a one-way valve, allowing cerebrospinal fluid to enter the subdural space but not drain back out. Over time, this fluid builds up and begins to press on brain tissue.

There are three common causes of subdural hygroma:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Head trauma is the most frequent cause of subdural hygroma. Motor vehicle crashes, slip and fall accidents, and sports injuries can all damage the arachnoid layer, creating the space for fluid to collect. Even seemingly minor injuries can disturb the balance of pressure in the skull and lead to complications.

Shaken baby syndrome is another form of traumatic injury that may result in a hygroma. Violent shaking harms the fragile membranes in an infant's developing brain and disrupts the normal circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. Because infants are highly vulnerable, even brief shaking can cause severe neurological harm.

Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse

Older adults are at increased risk of subdural hygroma when nursing facilities do not protect residents from falls. A single fall can produce head trauma strong enough to tear the arachnoid membrane and allow fluid to accumulate.

Poor supervision, inadequate mobility support, and unsafe environments make these injuries more likely. In some situations, physical abuse by staff can also cause blows to the head that damage protective brain structures. 

Surgical Errors

Operations on the brain or spine can also lead to subdural hygromas. When pressure inside the skull is not managed correctly, tears can form in the arachnoid membrane, creating a pathway for fluid buildup.

Procedures such as ventricular shunting, craniectomy, or aneurysm repair require careful handling because they directly involve delicate tissue layers. 

Patients undergoing neurosurgery are at heightened risk, since the protective membranes are already exposed and under stress. If errors occur during these procedures, fluid accumulation can hinder recovery and necessitate additional treatment.

Signs You May Have a Subdural Hygroma

Most subdural hygromas are asymptomatic, particularly when they're small. When subdural hygroma symptoms do develop, they happen because the fluid collection grows large enough to put pressure on brain tissue.

If you suffered head trauma in an accident, watch for these signs that could indicate a subdural hygroma:

• Ongoing headaches,
• Feeling sick to your stomach,
• Memory problems or feeling confused,
• Being more tired than usual,
• Sudden convulsions,
• Loss of feeling or strength on one side, and 
• Trouble with coordination.

Subdural hygromas are often overlooked or mistaken for other health problems. They are not always easy to diagnose because they can mimic other brain issues, have vague symptoms, or show up days to weeks after a head injury.

Reading about these symptoms and causes may raise questions about your own experience. If you suspect a hygroma after an accident or medical procedure, the Brain Injury Law Center can review your situation at no cost. Reach us at (757) 244-7000.

Subdural Hygroma Treatment Options

Subdural hygroma treatment depends on the size of the hygroma and whether it's causing symptoms. Many cases require no immediate intervention, while others need surgical care.

Small, asymptomatic hygromas usually resolve on their own with no treatment. Doctors will monitor the patient's status with regular brain scans to track any changes in size or development of symptoms.

If the hygroma is causing neurological symptoms or putting significant pressure on the brain, surgery may be necessary. Common procedures include:

• Burr hole drainage: A small hole is drilled in the skull to drain the accumulated fluid.
• Shunt placement: A subdural-peritoneal shunt can be placed to continuously drain the fluid into the abdominal cavity.

While subdural hygroma may sound similar to a subdural hematoma, they are different diagnoses. A hematoma involves blood collection, while a hygroma contains clear cerebrospinal fluid. However, hygromas can sometimes develop bleeding, transforming into hematomas and requiring different treatment approaches.

Large or untreated hygromas can lead to lasting neurological problems, memory difficulties, and other cognitive issues that may require ongoing medical care. The costs associated with treatment, rehabilitation, and lost income can be substantial when your injury results from accidents or medical errors that should not have happened.

Legal Options for Subdural Hygroma Victims

A subdural hygroma after an accident or medical procedure can leave you facing steep medical bills and a long recovery. The law provides different paths to seek compensation, depending on how the injury occurred.

When Medical Professionals Are Responsible

A malpractice claim may be possible if healthcare providers failed to act with reasonable care. Examples include emergency staff not ordering scans after a head injury, nursing home workers ignoring fall risks, or doctors sending you home too early without proper monitoring, which allowed your condition to worsen.

Accidents Caused by Others

Subdural hygromas can also result from accidents outside medical settings. If another person's negligence led to the injury, compensation may be sought through a personal injury claim. Examples include car crashes, unsafe property hazards that lead to falls, and other incidents caused by disregard for safety.

Why Legal Action Matters

Medical bills, missed work, and long-term treatment can place a serious burden on you and your family. A legal claim can shift those costs onto the party responsible and also recognize the physical and emotional toll of the injury. Pursuing compensation is often the only way to secure the resources needed for recovery and hold negligent parties accountable.

Talk to a Brain Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered a subdural hygroma after an accident or medical error, Brain Injury Law Center is here to help. Our team has recovered over $1 billion for our clients, including a record-setting $60 million verdict in a traumatic brain injury case.

We can help you understand what is a subdural hygroma, how it affects your long-term recovery, and whether treatment costs and complications may be part of your legal claim.

Call Brain Injury Law Center at (757) 244-7000 or send us a message online for a free consultation.