Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Should A Discolored Bruise Under The Eye Be Diagnosed And Treated?
Question: Hi, can I answer your health question? Please type your question here..My mother took a hard nosedive onto the pavement. She fell, flat on her face, and though she was wearing sunglasses that helped ease her fall slightly, she was left with an egg-shaped bump in the middle of her forehead. She also broke a bone in her leg. She was rushed to the hospital where they performed a CT scan. The doctor said everything was absolutely clear and perfect. My question, though, what are the odds that a brain bleed could appear later? It’s been almost two days (in a few hours) and she’s had no symptoms of a brain bleed (other than seeing a “floater” in her right eye, she says it looks almost like a small mosquito? This is the same eye where underneath she has a darkened bruise from impact. ) but I’ve read that it can happen days or even weeks later. I’m utterly paranoid and worried sick. Should she do a follow-up even though it wasn’t recommended to her? MRI? I cannot lose her, and I’m terrified something will happen! .
Brief Answer:
Very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The period in which hemorrhage is likely to occur is during the first 24 hours, 8 hours at most. During that time even if there was an initial minor bleed the blood will clot and the bleed will stop. It is very unlikely for bleeding to occur afterwards, those cases you might have read about are usually patients with prior clotting issues favored by taking anticoagulant medication, blood or liver conditions etc. CT is very sensitive in detecting blood, I don't think MRI is needed for that purpose.
The bump and bruise you see, while not pretty and I imagine worrying to you are not related to the possibility of having a brain bleed. No matter how soon or late they heal they are outside the skull, doesn't indicate anything regarding brain bleeds. Symptoms to watch for would be seizures, speech issues, double vision or vision loss, weakness or numbness of the limbs on one side, confusion or changes in behavior, increasing headache. Only those would prompt for another evaluation and possibly brain imaging. Otherwise given the fact that 2 days have almost gone by and normal findings on doctor's exam an CT I do not think there is any cause for alarm.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Very unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The period in which hemorrhage is likely to occur is during the first 24 hours, 8 hours at most. During that time even if there was an initial minor bleed the blood will clot and the bleed will stop. It is very unlikely for bleeding to occur afterwards, those cases you might have read about are usually patients with prior clotting issues favored by taking anticoagulant medication, blood or liver conditions etc. CT is very sensitive in detecting blood, I don't think MRI is needed for that purpose.
The bump and bruise you see, while not pretty and I imagine worrying to you are not related to the possibility of having a brain bleed. No matter how soon or late they heal they are outside the skull, doesn't indicate anything regarding brain bleeds. Symptoms to watch for would be seizures, speech issues, double vision or vision loss, weakness or numbness of the limbs on one side, confusion or changes in behavior, increasing headache. Only those would prompt for another evaluation and possibly brain imaging. Otherwise given the fact that 2 days have almost gone by and normal findings on doctor's exam an CT I do not think there is any cause for alarm.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Note: Get 1 to 1 help with your critical health concerns.Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
