Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage
Presentation and diagnosis
Signs and symptoms of aSAH depend largely
on the severity of the bleed and the site of the
aneurysm rupture (Box 2). Some patients
present with subtle symptoms, for example
severe headache and no other neurological
symptoms, while others may be misdiagnosed
as having a cardiac event with headache
being overlooked (NCEPOD 2013). Delayed
diagnosis or misdiagnosis will lead to delayed
treatment, putting patients at further risk
(NCEPOD 2013). Generally, patients present
following an acute onset of severe headache.
Research highlights that the presence of acute,
sudden-onset headache is indicative of some
underlying pathology, which may require urgent
management (Ferguson 2009). Current guidance
recommends that such patients should undergo
further investigations (Ferguson 2009).
A non-contrast CT scan of the head is the
first-line investigation. CT scans have high
sensitivity (close to 100%) for diagnosing
aSAH within the first three days of the bleed
(Ferguson 2009). Negative CT scans should be
followed 12 hours later by a lumbar puncture
to look for yellowing of the cerebrospinal fluid
(xanthochromia), which is present following
aSAH (Ferguson 2009, Connolly et al 2012,
RCP 2012). If aSAH is diagnosed, the next
step is to locate the aneurysm and visualise
its shape. This will help guide decisions about
how to treat the aneurysm. Cerebral digital
subtraction angiography is commonly used
for this purpose. CT angiography (CT head
with contrast medium to visualise the cerebral
arteries) is another option, but it is not clear
whether this scan is sensitive enough to identify
very small aneurysms of less than 3mm
(Connolly et al 2012).
Complete time out activity
Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage
Presentation and diagnosis
Signs and symptoms of aSAH depend largely
on the severity of the bleed and the site of the
aneurysm rupture (Box 2). Some patients
present with subtle symptoms, for example
severe headache and no other neurological
symptoms, while others may be misdiagnosed
as having a cardiac event with headache
being overlooked (NCEPOD 2013). Delayed
diagnosis or misdiagnosis will lead to delayed
treatment, putting patients at further risk
(NCEPOD 2013). Generally, patients present
following an acute onset of severe headache.
Research highlights that the presence of acute,
sudden-onset headache is indicative of some
underlying pathology, which may require urgent
management (Ferguson 2009). Current guidance
recommends that such patients should undergo
further investigations (Ferguson 2009).
A non-contrast CT scan of the head is the
first-line investigation. CT scans have high
sensitivity (close to 100%) for diagnosing
aSAH within the first three days of the bleed
(Ferguson 2009). Negative CT scans should be
followed 12 hours later by a lumbar puncture
to look for yellowing of the cerebrospinal fluid
(xanthochromia), which is present following
aSAH (Ferguson 2009, Connolly et al 2012,
RCP 2012). If aSAH is diagnosed, the next
step is to locate the aneurysm and visualise
its shape. This will help guide decisions about
how to treat the aneurysm. Cerebral digital
subtraction angiography is commonly used
for this purpose. CT angiography (CT head
with contrast medium to visualise the cerebral
arteries) is another option, but it is not clear
whether this scan is sensitive enough to identify
very small aneurysms of less than 3mm
(Connolly et al 2012).
Complete time out activity
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