Hematomas cause irritation and inflammation. Symptoms depend
upon their location and whether the size of the hematoma or the
associated swelling and inflammation causes structures nearby to
be affected. The common symptoms of inflammation include
redness, pain, and swelling. In general, superficial hematomas
of skin, soft tissue, and muscle tend to resolve over time. The
initial firm texture of the blood clot gradually becomes more
spongy and soft as the clot is broken down by the body, and the
shape changes as the fluid drains away and the hematoma
flattens. The color changes from that of a purplish-blue bruise
to yellows and browns as the blood chemicals gradually are
removed and the hematoma resolves. Depending upon its location,
the discolorations may travel through different tissue planes by
gravity. For example, a forehead hematoma may cause bruising
beneath the eyes and seem to travel to the neck as it resolves
over time. Intracranial, epidural, subdural, and intracerebral
hematomas often need neurosur