87-year-old Man Falls, Doesn't Seek Medical Attention, Brain Hemorrhage Leads to Epilepsy...Second Fall Nearly Fatal; Doctor Urges Attention to Head Injuries

An 87-year-old man surnamed Chen fell due to dizziness, hitting the back of his head, and was sent to Yuan Rung Hospital's emergency room. However, the results of the brain CT scan were unexpected, showing the hematoma was in the right frontal lobe, not the impact point at the back of the head. This discovery made the Director of NeurologyYEH TSUNG HSUNChief Physicianrealize that this was not a new injury caused by the current fall.

YEH TSUNG HSUNChief PhysicianBased on the old man's dizziness symptoms, it was inferred that he most likely had an unknown head injury two to three weeks prior, forming a "subacute subdural hematoma." This gradually expanding hematoma compressed brain tissue, causing neurological dysfunctions such as epilepsy, which then led to this fall. The doctor pointed out that this is a typical vicious cycle: "old brain injury causes neurological symptoms, leading to another fall," and recommended immediate surgery to remove the blood clot.

Initially, due to the old man's advanced age, the family had doubts about surgery and opted for conservative treatments such as medication. Unexpectedly, on the afternoon of the old man's admission, his intracranial pressure rapidly increased and compressed the brainstem, leading to a critical situation with worsening respiration. After the family's urgent consent, the old man was transferred to a medical center for surgery, where the hematoma was successfully removed, saving his life.

YEH TSUNG HSUNChief PhysicianThis case serves as a reminder that the risk of falls significantly increases in older adults due to the decline of multiple bodily functions. Statistics show that about one-third of seniors aged 65 and above fall at least once a year, and among them, 10% suffer serious injuries such as fractures or brain damage. Therefore, if an elderly family member accidentally hits their head, regardless of whether there are obvious symptoms at the time, they should seek medical attention promptly for a professional neurological examination to prevent potential risks.