The role of imaging in the management of non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: a practical review

Emergency Radiology (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to understand the role of imaging in the diagnosis and management of non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). SAH is a life-threatening emergency and a relatively common entity, the most common etiology being ruptured aneurysms. Multiple conundrums exist in literature at various steps of its imaging workup: diagnosis, management, and follow-up. We target our review to highlight the most effective practice and suggest efficient workup plans based on literature search, and describe in detail the clinical diagnostic and prognostic scales, role of CT scan, lumbar puncture, and MR, including angiography in the diagnosis and workup of SAH and its complications, and try to simplify the conundrums. Practical knowledge of imaging workup of SAH can help guide correct management of these patients, so as to reduce morbidity and mortality without resource overutilization.

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  1. Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Garvit D. Khatri, Basar Sarikaya, Nathan M. Cross & Jonathan R. Medverd

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  1. Garvit D. Khatri
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Khatri, G.D., Sarikaya, B., Cross, N.M. et al. The role of imaging in the management of non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: a practical review. Emerg Radiol (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-021-01900-x

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Keywords

  • Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • CT scans spiral
  • Angiography
  • Digital subtraction
  • MRI scan
  • Lumbar puncture