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The SAH's Spasm!

Topic: Adult

Created on Friday, May 29 2009 by rednucleus

Last modified on Saturday, June 6 2009.

A 43-year-old man is referred from another hospital to you for further management of cerebral vasospasm. He developed acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. All of the following statements regarding arterial vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are correct, except:

 
        A) Is mainly seen in the arteries surrounded by the subarachnoid blood
 
        B) Develops in 30% of patients
 
        C) Can be confirmed by trans-cranial Doppler study or cerebral angiography
 
        D) Clinical ischemia is not typically seen before day 4 post-ictus
 
        E) The severity of the vasospasm is not related to the amount of the surrounding subarachnoid blood
 

 


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This question was created on May 29, 2009 by rednucleus.
This question was last modified on June 06, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS




A) Is mainly seen in the arteries surrounded by the subarachnoid blood

This answer is incorrect.


Cerebral vasospasm is mainly seen in the arteries surrounded by the subarachnoid blood; remote arteries may be affected but this is uncommon and usually not that significant. Clinical ischemia is not typically seen before day 4 post-ictus; peaks at day 10-14 post ictus. The only ways to diagnose it is by doing trans-cranial Doppler study or cerebral angiography. The severity of the arterial spasm is closely related to the amount of the surrounding subarachnoid blood and thus is less common where less blood is seen, e.g. traumatic SAH or SAH following AVM rupture. Cerebral vasospasm develops in 30% of patients; much more common than re-bleeding!   (See References)

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B) Develops in 30% of patients

This answer is incorrect.


Cerebral vasospasm is mainly seen in the arteries surrounded by the subarachnoid blood; remote arteries may be affected but this is uncommon and usually not that significant. Clinical ischemia is not typically seen before day 4 post-ictus; peaks at day 10-14 post ictus. The only ways to diagnose it is by doing trans-cranial Doppler study or cerebral angiography. The severity of the arterial spasm is closely related to the amount of the surrounding subarachnoid blood and thus is less common where less blood is seen, e.g. traumatic SAH or SAH following AVM rupture. Cerebral vasospasm develops in 30% of patients; much more common than re-bleeding!   (See References)

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C) Can be confirmed by trans-cranial Doppler study or cerebral angiography

This answer is incorrect.


Cerebral vasospasm is mainly seen in the arteries surrounded by the subarachnoid blood; remote arteries may be affected but this is uncommon and usually not that significant. Clinical ischemia is not typically seen before day 4 post-ictus; peaks at day 10-14 post ictus. The only ways to diagnose it is by doing trans-cranial Doppler study or cerebral angiography. The severity of the arterial spasm is closely related to the amount of the surrounding subarachnoid blood and thus is less common where less blood is seen, e.g. traumatic SAH or SAH following AVM rupture. Cerebral vasospasm develops in 30% of patients; much more common than re-bleeding!   (See References)

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D) Clinical ischemia is not typically seen before day 4 post-ictus

This answer is incorrect.


Cerebral vasospasm is mainly seen in the arteries surrounded by the subarachnoid blood; remote arteries may be affected but this is uncommon and usually not that significant. Clinical ischemia is not typically seen before day 4 post-ictus; peaks at day 10-14 post ictus. The only ways to diagnose it is by doing trans-cranial Doppler study or cerebral angiography. The severity of the arterial spasm is closely related to the amount of the surrounding subarachnoid blood and thus is less common where less blood is seen, e.g. traumatic SAH or SAH following AVM rupture. Cerebral vasospasm develops in 30% of patients; much more common than re-bleeding!   (See References)

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E) The severity of the vasospasm is not related to the amount of the surrounding subarachnoid blood

This answer is correct.


Cerebral vasospasm is mainly seen in the arteries surrounded by the subarachnoid blood; remote arteries may be affected but this is uncommon and usually not that significant. Clinical ischemia is not typically seen before day 4 post-ictus; peaks at day 10-14 post ictus. The only ways to diagnose it is by doing trans-cranial Doppler study or cerebral angiography. The severity of the arterial spasm is closely related to the amount of the surrounding subarachnoid blood and thus is less common where less blood is seen, e.g. traumatic SAH or SAH following AVM rupture. Cerebral vasospasm develops in 30% of patients; much more common than re-bleeding!   (See References)

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References:

1. Victor, M., and Ropper, A.H. (2005). Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology, 8th Edition. McGraw-Hill, New York. (ISBN:007141620X) Advertising:
2. Aminoff, M.A., Greenberg, D.A., Simon, R.P. (2005). Clinical Neurology, 6th Edition. McGraw-Hill, New York. (ISBN:0071423605)Advertising:
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adult
The SAH's Spasm!
Question ID: 052909094
Question written by rednucleus. (C) FrontalCortex.com 2006-2009, all rights reserved. Created: 05/29/2009
Modified: 06/06/2009
Estimated Permutations: 120

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