Objective: Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) constitutes a neurological emergency. In most cases, the diagnosis is easy to establish; however, in rare cases, verification of the diagnosis is difficult. In this retrospective analysis, we report the clinical characteristics of patients with SAH who were admitted to our neurological intensive care unit. We focus on the additional diagnostic approaches in patients with a high suspicion of SAH but failure of the 'classic' diagnostic tools.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients in whom SAH was diagnosed between 1996 and 2008. Two hundred and twenty patients were analysed for presenting symptoms, radiological and laboratory findings, hospital course and outcome.
Results: A total of 220 patients were identified (mean age 50.5 years, 127 women). In 217 patients, the diagnosis was based upon cerebral computed tomography (CCT) or lumbar puncture. In three patients, the diagnostic work-up was continued because of distinct clinical signs even though CCT and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were negative for SAH. In these patients, vasospasm was detected by transcranial doppler sonography (TCD) and/or diagnosis of aneurysm was confirmed by conventional angiography.
Conclusion: Subarachnoid haemorrhage with negative CCT and CSF is a rare presentation of a severe acute neurological emergency. Further diagnostic as TCD/computed tomography (CT)-A or MR-A should be considered in all patients with typical clinical presentation for SAH but unremarkable CCT and CSF as an additional diagnostic tool. Ultimately, a conventional angiography should be performed if distinct clinical signs of SAH are presented.
© 2010 The Author(s). European Journal of Neurology © 2010 EFNS.