Elizabeth H. Y. Du BA, BSc, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Luck Jan-Luck Louis MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Patrick McLaughlin FFR(RCSI), Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Savvas Nicolaou MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

-Noncontrast head CT is the initial test of choice within the first 12-24 hours -DSA remains the gold standard for identifying bleeding source in aneurysmal SAH -MRI with T2* or FLAIR sequences may distinguish pseudo-SAH from true SAH; timely use of MRI may avoid unnecessary angiographic studies

-DDx of thunderclap headache; pathophysiology, clinical presentation (incl. clinical grading scale), DDx of traumatic & nontraumatic true subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); sensitivity/specificity of imaging modalities for detection of SAH -Indications, spectrum of imaging findings with examples, relative utility & practical considerations of imaging modalities used for assessment of traumatic & nontraumatic SAH -Grading system for CT appearance predicting likelihood of SAH-related vasospasm; CT angiography vs. digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in evaluating aneurysm location -Imaging approach to & imaging examples of SAH imitators: diffuse cerebral edema, mass lesions e.g. subdural hematoma, severe obstructive hydrocephalus, anoxic encephalopathy, infections, unrecognized IV contrast; reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes, venous sinus thrombosis, cervical artery dissection, intracranial hypotension, pituitary apoplexy, retroclival hematoma, reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome, third ventricle colloid cysts 

http://abstract.rsna.org/uploads/2014/14014680/14014680_popj.pdf

Du, E, Louis, L, McLaughlin, P, Nicolaou, S, Thunderclap Headache: Imaging of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Imitators.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14014680.html