What type of hematoma is characterized by a crescent shape on CT and associated with increased ICP following head trauma?

A subdural hematoma is characterized by its crescent shape on CT scans, which typically forms when blood collects between the dura mater and the arachnoid layer of the meninges. This type of hematoma commonly occurs following head trauma, especially in situations where there is significant acceleration-deceleration injury, such as in falls or motor vehicle accidents.

The crescent shape arises because the hematoma can spread along the contours of the brain beneath the dura mater, leading to a more diffuse appearance compared to other types of hematomas. Subdural hematomas can exert pressure on the surrounding brain tissue, leading to increased intracranial pressure (ICP), which can manifest as symptoms like headache, confusion, or loss of consciousness, depending on the size and rapidity of the bleed.

Timely recognition and management of subdural hematomas are critical, especially in scenarios involving elderly individuals or those on anticoagulants, as these populations are at higher risk for this type of injury. In contrast, an epidural hematoma tends to have a more biconvex or lens shape on imaging, occurs typically due to arterial bleeding, particularly from the middle meningeal artery, and is associated with a classic "lucid interval" where