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hematoma
(he″mә-to´mә)
a localized collection of extravasated blood, usually clotted, in an organ, space, or tissue; bruises and black eyes are familiar
forms that are seldom serious. Hematomas can occur almost anywhere on the body, and are almost always present with a fracture;
in minor injuries the blood is absorbed unless infection develops. Hematomas inside the skull are especially serious, because
they can produce local pressure on the brain; the two most common kinds of these are epidural and subdural.
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