Subdural hematomas are usually caused by head trauma. They are serious and require emergency treatment. A CT scan may show subdural hematomas. Surgery may be needed to remove the hematoma. Many people with small subdural hematomas recover quickly and completely.

Subdural hematoma accounts for a large proportion of traumatic brain injury in humans. Of these, acute subdural hematoma is the form with the highest mortality rate and many severe sequelae for the patient.