sousdural

Sousdural is a French adjective meaning "beneath the dura mater." In English medical usage, the equivalent term is subdural, used to describe the subdural space and related conditions.

The dura mater is the outermost meningeal layer of the central nervous system. The subdural space lies between the dura and the arachnoid mater and is normally a potential space that can become an actual space when fluid or blood accumulates.

The most common subdural condition is subdural hematoma, typically caused by tearing of bridging veins after head trauma. They are categorized as acute (within 72 hours), subacute (3–21 days), or chronic (weeks or longer).

Non-contrast CT is usually first-line. Acute subdural hematomas appear as crescent-shaped hyperdense collections along the brain surface; MRI provides greater detail and can help date the bleed or characterize chronic collections.

Management depends on size and symptoms. Small, asymptomatic cases may be observed; larger or symptomatic ones often require surgical drainage via burr-hole craniostomy or craniotomy.

The term sousdural is encountered mainly in bilingual or French-language medical literature; in English, subdural is standard. The term denotes anatomical placement rather than a distinct clinical entity.