Derek Hough unveils shocking secret: Wife Hayley Erbert undergoes life-saving brain surgery

Derek Hough's wife, Hayley Erbert, was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel, Hough said.

Derek Hough unveils shocking secret: Wife Hayley Erbert undergoes life-saving brain surgery
entertainment
08 Dec 2023, 10:29 PM
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Emergency Brain Surgery for Hayley Erbert

Emergency Brain Surgery for Hayley Erbert

Derek Hough's wife, Hayley Erbert, underwent emergency brain surgery after a cranial hematoma, Hough revealed in a Thursday Instagram post.

Erbert became disoriented after Wednesday night's performance for the couple's Symphony of Dance tour and was hospitalized in Washington, D.C., Hough said.

"She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy," the professional dancer and "Dancing With the Stars" judge said. "She is in stable condition."

What is an Intracranial Hematoma?

According to the Mayo Clinic, an intracranial hematoma is a collection of blood within the skull, which is usually caused by a blood vessel that bursts in the brain. Traumas such as a fall or a car accident can cause an intracranial hematoma. The condition can be life-threatening and usually requires immediate treatment, Mayo Clinic said.

What is a Craniectomy?

During a craniectomy, a portion of the skull is removed to relieve pressure on the brain, according to the University of Rochester Medical Medical Center. The procedure is usually done when a patient has suffered a "very severe brain injury that involves significant amounts of bleeding around the brain or excessive swelling of the brain."

Details about how Erbert sustained her injury have not been disclosed by Hough. However, Erbert previously mentioned being involved in a "terrifying car accident in the mountains" last year. She shared that she had some injuries, including a swollen face and four stitches above her eyebrow.

Following the injury in 2022, Erbert expressed her hopes for a healthier and injury-free 2023 in a post on Instagram.

Xochitl Gomez, the winner of the recent season of "Dancing With the Stars," sent well wishes to Erbert on Thursday, describing her as a "shining light."

Hough and Erbert tied the knot in late August and embarked on their tour together approximately a month later.