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Published on: June 18, 2021
Contrast Extravasation Mimicking Subarachnoid Hemorrhage After Cardiac Catheterization
Syed A Huda1, Moeed Ahmed2, Parth J Sampat1
1Internal Medicine, State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA.
Insights
Neurological complications from coronary angiography are rare. Contrast media can mimic subarachnoid hemorrhage on CT scans, but MRI can differentiate it from actual bleeding.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Neurological complications following coronary angiography, though uncommon, carry substantial risks.
- These complications encompass ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attacks.
Observation:
- Contrast media, rarely, can breach the blood-brain barrier, inducing temporary neurological symptoms like confusion and seizures.
- In one case, a patient experienced confusion post-cardiac angiography, with initial brain CT suggesting subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
Findings:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is crucial for distinguishing between blood and contrast media in the brain.
- The patient's brain MRI revealed no actual hemorrhage, confirming contrast staining rather than SAH.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of advanced imaging like MRI in accurately diagnosing neurological events after angiography.
- Differentiating contrast staining from true hemorrhage is vital for appropriate patient management and preventing unnecessary interventions.
Abstract:
Neurological complications after coronary angiography are rare but associated with significant mortality and morbidity. These include ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, and transient ischemic attacks. Rarely, contrast media can cross the blood brain barrier causing transient neurological symptoms including confusion and seizures. On imaging, it can mimic a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Blood can be differentiated from contrast media using MRI. We present a patient who developed confusion after undergoing cardiac angiography and the initial CT of the brain showed SAH. However, MRI of the brain did not reveal any hemorrhage indicating contrast staining.
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