New view on macroscopic criteria for determining the age of subdural hematomas

Abstract The objective of the study was to assess the usefulness of macroscopic criteria for determining the age of subdural hematoma (SDH) and, additionally, the effect of other than time-related factors on the evolution of SDH in a prospective study. The analysis included the results of forensic autopsies' performed in the Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine of Warsaw Medical University (Warsaw, Poland) in 76 cases with SDH after a head injury inflicted at a known time. The following parameters of SDH were analyzed: location, diameter, color and consistence. In every case, additional information regarding sex, age, the type of injury, trauma degree (AIS and ISS) was collected and included in the analysis. The results suggest that macroscopic hematoma evaluation is a useful method of dating the age of SDHs. In addition, the results of the study suggest that factors other than time had an effect on hematoma evolution, and the severity of head injury should be considered one of the factors involved.