BMJ  2006;333 (29 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7561.0-c

Consider subarachnoid haemorrhage

Subarachnoid haemorrhage should be suspected in someone with a sudden severe headache that peaks within minutes and lasts more than one hour. That person should be referred to a neuroscience unit as soon as the suspicion increases, say Al-Shahi and colleagues (p 235). This clinical review discusses the investigations, such as computed tomography and lumbar puncture, that are used to detect suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage and its causes. The authors explore the outcome and treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm, which represents three quarters of spontaneous cases. Patients should be managed by multidisciplinary teams that can help identify and manage complications, conclude the authors.

Credit: GCa/SPL

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Relevant Article

Subarachnoid haemorrhage

Rustam Al-Shahi, Philip M White, Richard J Davenport, and Kenneth W Lindsay
BMJ 2006 333: 235-240. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]