THE SYMPTOMS of subdural hematoma in adults are quite different from those which occur in infants. The differences in the ocular signs in patients of these age groups suggested this study. Postmortem examination of infant and adult brains led to an observation which seems to explain important differences in symptomatology.
The first part of this paper concerns symptoms and is based on personal observations and studies on 37 infants and 54 adults. Particular attention has been given to differences in symptoms, both general and ocular, in infants and in adults. The second part records an anatomic observation which may explain differences in manifestations in the two age groups.
TERMINOLOGY
Subdural Hematoma.
—This term describes any collection of blood in the subdural space, whether or not it is encapsulated. Obviously, in cases in which operation is undertaken immediately after an injury there has not been sufficient time for encapsulation to occur.