Hypertensive encephalopathy presenting with thunderclap headache
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Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Pre-Chiasmatic, Single Injection of Autologous Blood to Induce Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rat Model
Published on: June 18, 2021
D F Tang-Wai1, T G Phan, E F Wijdicks
1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Abstract:
A 68-year-old woman presented with thunderclap headache, which led to a search for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Both computerized tomography of the head and cerebrospinal fluid examination were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormalities in the white matter in the parieto-occipital regions. There was no aneurysm on magnetic resonance angiography. Treatment of hypertension led to resolution of the posterior leukoencephalopathy. Hypertensive encephalopathy with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy can present as a thunderclap headache.
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