Bilateral extradural haematomas.

Eleven cases of bilateral extradural haematomas were encountered in a total of 49 cases of extradural haematoma during a period of 4 years among 1000 consecutive cases of acute head injury. Assault was held responsible for 60 per cent of the total head injuries. Most of the patients were seen late; 8 were already unconscious and 5 had dilated fixed pupils. All 11 patients died, 4 soon after admission. Nine cases were found to have associated brain damage at autopsy. In 2 cases bilateral extradural haematomas with compression of the brain were the only intracranial abnormalities. In 4 cases a clost was missed on conventional exploration.