Subdural haematoma simulating primary subarachnoid haemorrhage

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Radiology

Background:

• Subdural hematoma can present with symptoms similar to primary subarachnoid hemorrhage, complicating diagnosis.
• Accurate and timely diagnosis is critical for effective patient management and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the diagnostic utility of cerebral angiography in cases of subdural hematoma.
• To emphasize the importance of angiography when the diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage is uncertain.

Main Methods:

• Case study review of three patients with subdural hematoma.
• Diagnostic confirmation through cerebral angiography.

Main Results:

• Cerebral angiography successfully diagnosed subdural hematoma in all three cases.
• The radiographic appearance of subdural hematoma mimicked primary subarachnoid hemorrhage prior to angiography.

Conclusions:

• Cerebral angiography is an indispensable tool for diagnosing subdural hematoma when it presents atypically.
• Angiography should be considered in the diagnostic workup for suspected intracranial hemorrhages with ambiguous clinical or initial imaging findings.