Final answer:
The described symptoms are indicative of an epidural hematoma, a serious medical emergency caused by arterial bleeding between the skull and dura mater, frequently due to a fractured temporal bone and associated with neurological problems or death if untreated.
Step-by-step explanation:
This scenario describes a condition resulting from a head injury that, based on the symptoms, appears to be an epidural hematoma. Following a head injury, when a person experiences loss of consciousness (LOC), followed by a lucid interval for a few hours and then progresses rapidly into a coma, it suggests the formation of a hematoma due to arterial bleeding between the skull and the dura mater, typically associated with a fracture of the temporal bone. Blood accumulation exerts increasing pressure on the brain, which can result in long-term neurological problems or death if not treated promptly.
A blow to the lateral side of the head, particularly over the pterion, can fracture the bone and damage the underlying middle meningeal artery. The hemorrhage into the cranial vault can lead to a rapid increase in intracranial pressure, compression of the brain tissues, compromised blood flow beyond the site of the hemorrhage, and the potential breakdown of the blood-brain barrier leading to edema.
It is critical to diagnose and address an epidural hematoma rapidly; a CT scan normally reveals this hemorrhage. As illustrated in Figure 16.3, such a hemorrhage can significantly disfigure the brain, emphasizing the urgency for medical intervention.