Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Pseudo-subarachnoid hemorrhage in cerebellar infarction

  • Brief Communication
  • Published:
Neurocritical Care Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

The computed tomography (CT) appearance of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) without subarachnoid blood has been labeled “pseudo-subarachnoid hemorrhage” (pseudo-SAH) and has been reported with several diffuse intracerebral insults including intrathecal contrast agents, meningitis, generalized cerebral edema, anoxic encephalopathy, and intracranial hypotension.

Methods

Single case report.

Results

We present a 43-year-old female who presented with vertigo and severe headache. Initial CT brain suggested SAH with hydrocephalus. Subsequent cerebral angiography was negative. Cerebrospinal fluid from an external ventricular drain (EVD) was negative for blood, and MRI brain revealed an acute stroke in the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) territory.

Conclusion

Our case suggests that PICA infarction can be associated with the CT finding of pseudo-SAH, thereby mimicking the clinical and radiographic presentation of SAH.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

References

  1. Cucchiara B, Sinson G, Kasner SE, Chalela JA. Pseudo-subarachnoid hemorrhage: report of three cases and review of the literature. Neurocrit Care 2004;1(3):371–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Schievink WI, Maya MM, Tourje J, Moser FG. Pseudo-subarachnoid hemorrhage: a CT-finding in spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Neurology 2005;65:135–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Belsare G, Lee AG, Maley J, Kirby P, St. Louis EK, Follett K. Pseudo-subarachnoid hemorrhage and cortical visual impairment as the presenting sign of gliomatosis cerebri. Semin Ophthalmol 2004;19(3–4):78–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Given CA 2nd, Burdette JH, Elster AD, Williams DW 3rd. Pseudo-subarachnoid hemorrhage: a potential imaging pitfall associated with diffuse cerebral edema. Am J Neuroradiol 2003;24:254–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurologic Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Suite #1106, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Brandon R. Barton, Shyam Prabhakaran & Vivien H. Lee

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Suite #118, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Demetrius K. Lopes

Authors
  1. Brandon R. Barton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shyam Prabhakaran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Demetrius K. Lopes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Vivien H. Lee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brandon R. Barton.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Barton, B.R., Prabhakaran, S., Lopes, D.K. et al. Pseudo-subarachnoid hemorrhage in cerebellar infarction. Neurocrit Care 7, 172–174 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-007-0049-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-007-0049-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation