Question

A 40-year-old female patient complains of a persistent headache. A CT scan of the head was performed, as shown below. What is the most accurate diagnosis? 

• A. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)
• B. Epidural hemorrhage
• C. Subdural hemorrhage
• D. Intraparenchymal hemorrhage

Hint:

In a patient with sudden severe headache, a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) should be suspected, especially if blood is seen in the subarachnoid space on a CT scan.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The CT scan reveals a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), characterized by blood in the subarachnoid space, which is visible around the brain and along the sulci. This type of hemorrhage is most commonly caused by the rupture of aneurysms in the brain and presents with sudden severe headache, often described as the "worst headache of my life." SAH can lead to rapid neurological deterioration and requires urgent management.
- Epidural hemorrhage typically appears as a lens-shaped collection of blood between the skull and the dura mater, usually caused by trauma.
- Subdural hemorrhage presents with crescent-shaped blood collection between the dura mater and the brain, often resulting from head trauma.
- Intraparenchymal hemorrhage is the bleeding that occurs within the brain tissue itself, not typically seen in the subarachnoid space.
Thus, subarachnoid hemorrhage is the most accurate diagnosis based on the CT scan findings.