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Medical Definition of Epidural haematoma
1. A serious type of head injury that is characterised by a collection of blood that lies outside of the dura mater (between the dura mater and the skull). Occurs secondary to major head trauma. The most common location on the skull for this type of injury is over the temple. The temporal bone when fractured can cause a tearing of an epidural blood artery. The progressive accumulation of blood (haematoma) in the epidural space leads to the development of neurologic symptoms and coma. Treatment includes surgical evacuation of the haematoma. (27 Sep 1997)