Case study 56 - Epidural hematoma An epidural hematoma (EDH) occurs when blood accumulates between the skull and the dura mater, the thick membrane covering the brain. • They typically occur when a skull fracture tears an underlying blood vessel. • EDHs are about half as common as a subdural hematoma and usually occur in young adults. • Classic symptoms of EDH involve brief loss of consciousness followed by a period of awareness that may last several hours before brain function deteriorates, som