Saturday, December 26, 2009

TRAUMATIC SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE - A CASE STUDY




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In the above case which had come to our department with a history of head injury we can observe the hyperdensity of blood density in the subarachnoid spaces within the cisterns, interhemispheric fissure and also along the tentorium cerebelli. These findings are typical of Subarachnoid hemorrhage with some amount of subdural component.




DISCUSSION


Definitions

Blood within subarachnoid spaces between pial & arachnoid membranes


Best imaging tool: CT Scan

NECT Findings :


High density in subarachnoid space(s)/cisterns


Hyperdense blood in interpeduncular cistern

Top Differential Diagnoses


• Non-traumatic SAH (ntSAH)

• Meningitis

• Carcinomatosis

• High inspired oxygen


Clinical Presentation :

• Most common signs/symptoms: Headache, emesis, ~consciousness

• Clinical profile: Trauma is most common cause of SAH, not ruptured aneurysm

• Amount of tSAH on initial CT correlates with delayed ischemia, poor outcome

• Requires supportive therapy

Treatment


• Requires supportive therapy

o Intubation, supplemental oxygen, IV fluids, therapy of altered vital signs

o Sedatives & medications for pain, nausea, & vomiting as needed

o Anticonvulsants for seizures

Nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker, may prevent vasospasm & its complications

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