Delayed onset of traumatic epidural hematoma.

Over 36 months, 16 cases of delayed onset of traumatic epidural hematoma have been collected in our hospital. A negative CT finding was recorded on arrival and repeated CT scans obtained following neurological deterioration of the patients revealed sizable epidural hematomas. The occurrence of delayed epidural hematoma was more frequent in our series than previously reported. The most significant predisposing factors were skull fracture and relief of intracranial pressure. All patients received surgical management. Prognosis of these patients was directly related to the promptness with which the hematoma was removed once neurological compression began.