Subarachnoid hemorrhage is characterized by very severe headaches of sudden onset. In addition, a stiff neck and possibly nausea and vomiting as well as more or less severe disturbance of consciousness may occur.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a medical emergency and requires urgent admission of the patient to a major neurovascular center where the diagnosis and the necessary therapy can be initiated immediately.
Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm (LINK) is the most frequent cause of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Early treatment of the ruptured aneurysm by surgery or endovascular coil embolization prevents a mostly lethal re-bleeding.
A specialized neurointensive care ensures the detection and prompt treatment of cerebral vasospasm, which may occur in the days following the hemorrhage and poses a problem for affected patients to date. Vasospasm causes narrowing of cerebral vessels which may result in cerebral ischemia (reduced blood flow), and stroke.