Subarachnoid hemorrhage (brain bleeding)
About Subarachnoid hemorrhage (brain bleeding)
The subarachnoid space covers the brain and spinal cord. A subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) occurs when there is bleeding into this space. A subarachnoid hemorrhage can be life threatening. The most common cause of bleeding is a rupture of an aneurysm. An aneurysm is a focal area of swelling of an artery in the brain. An aneurysm can be congenital (present from time of birth) and may not cause any symptoms unless it bleeds. A tendency to form aneurysms can be an inherited trait. Other causes of SAH include head trauma and arteriovenous malformation (AVM, a tangle of veins and arteries that is a variation of normal anatomy and is prone to rupture).Symptoms
Sudden onset of severe headache, a popping or snapping sensation is sometimes described, the headache is described as the worst of one's life, vomiting, fainting, weakness, confusion, seizure, coma.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to establish the diagnosis and determine the cause will be done. If the initial head CT is normal a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) may be performed to rule out a small bleed.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, EKG, MRI, X-ray.
Conventional treatment summary
The goals of therapy are repair the cause of bleeding, relieve symptoms, and prevent complications. Specific treatments depend on the cause of the bleeding. For aneurysms surgical clipping and endovascular clotting off of the aneurysm are the most common procedures. Any associated bleeding abnormalities will be reversed as well as blood pressure control.Medical specialties
Neurosurgery · Vascular and Interventional Radiology
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Subarachnoid hemorrhage (brain bleeding).