Subarachnoid haemorrhage

• What is a subarachnoid haemorrhage?

  Severe, life-threatening cerebrovascular event

  Characterised by bleeding into subarachnoid space
• What is subarachnoid haemorrhage most commonly caused by?

  Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm

  Can also occur due to AV malformations or head trauma
• What are the signs & symptoms of subarachnoid haemorrhage?

  Headache

  Nausea & vomiting

  Meningism

  Altered consciousness

  Cranial nerve palsies

  Hemiparesis/hemiplegia

  Speech disturbances

  Seizures

  Papilleodema

  HTN (of hypotension)
• What are the warning symptoms of subarachnoid haemorrhage?

  Brief sudden headaches

  Dizziness

  Eye pain

  Double vision

  Loss of sensation or movement
• What are the Inx of subarachnoid haemorrhage?

  Obs

  Full Hx & examination

  CT head

  Lumbar puncture
• What is the management of subarachnoid haemorrhage?

  Supportive (bed rest, analgesia)

  Prevent vasospasm

  Refer to neurosurgery
• What are the possible complications of subarachnoid haemorrhage?

  Re-bleeding

  Hydrocephalus

  Vasospasm

  Hyponatraemia

  Seizures