[Alcohol and head injuries].

42 patients with epidural haematoma were operated upon in the surgical department of the regional hospital, Tromsø, in the years 1967-1985. Clinical evaluation showed that 17 of these patients (40.5%) were intoxicated by alcohol at the time of trauma. 14 of the intoxicated (82.4%) but only 7 (28%) of the sober patients, had been injured either in the evening or at night. 13 in the intoxicated group (76.5%) and 10 in the sober group (40%) were hurt by falling or as a result of violence. 15 of the sober group (60%) and 4 intoxicated patients (23.5%) arrived less than 4 hours after the accident. We found a significant difference between the two groups as regards the time lag between accident and arrival at Tromsø hospital.