Subarachnoid hemorrhage sequelae

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on May 18, 2025
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Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a rather dangerous disease that develops very suddenly, most often caused by the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. Some patients may not have any sequelae, but some severe cases can result in lasting consequences. Common sequelae include the following aspects: First, hydrocephalus. This condition can lead to adhesions of the meninges and can cause blood to remain in the subarachnoid space and the ventricles, potentially causing fluid accumulation. Second, there may be residual epileptic seizures. If epilepsy is a sequela, long-term oral anti-epileptic drugs are required. Third, some patients may experience cerebral vasospasm, leading to secondary cerebral infarction, which can leave patients with limb paresis and language impairments.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Does subarachnoid hemorrhage have a genetic component?

Subarachnoid hemorrhage, this disease does not have a significant genetic tendency, so there is no need to worry excessively. The main cause of the bleeding is the rupture of an aneurysm, which is due to abnormal blood vessel development resulting in fusiform aneurysms that rupture and bleed under certain conditions. Additionally, there are other causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage, such as long-term smoking which can cause arterial disease, some arteriovenous malformations are also prone to rupture and bleed, and some traumatic injuries can also lead to subarachnoid hemorrhage; these are not hereditary. Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a rather dangerous condition, so it is essential to control risk factors, properly manage blood pressure, and absolutely avoid smoking. If severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting occur, it is crucial to be highly vigilant and seek medical attention at a hospital immediately.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a relatively serious condition. Most patients suffer from this due to the rupture of an aneurysm, while others may have arteriovenous malformations. This disease is associated with complications, with common ones including the following. First, there are acute complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Patients usually experience severe pain and vomiting again after their condition stabilizes, and the mortality rate significantly increases. The second complication is cerebral vasospasm, which typically peaks between three days and two weeks. Cerebral vasospasm can easily lead to vascular occlusion and the subsequent formation of cerebral thrombosis. The third type includes acute or subacute hydrocephalus. Additionally, seizures and electrolyte disorders may also occur as complications.

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Written by Li Hu Chen
Imaging Center
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Subarachnoid hemorrhage MR manifestations

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is typically visible on an MR scan, where blood presence can be detected in the cerebral sulci. MR stands for Magnetic Resonance, and it offers various scanning sequences such as T1, T2, diffusion imaging, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR). Although it may sound complex, these sequences can show high signals in areas of the brain sulci where normally there should be no distinctive signals or colors. After a subarachnoid hemorrhage, these areas show up as brightly lit on the images. Hence, magnetic resonance imaging is particularly sensitive to even small amounts of subarachnoid hemorrhage, especially noticeable in the diffusion imaging sequences where these bright signals are prominently visible.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Clinical manifestations of subarachnoid hemorrhage

The main clinical manifestations of subarachnoid hemorrhage are sudden severe headache, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, with positive signs of meningeal irritation. If such symptoms occur, it is urgent to seek medical attention and perform a cranial CT scan. If the CT shows a high-density shadow in the subarachnoid space, it can be diagnosed as subarachnoid hemorrhage, and the patient should be treated in neurology or neurosurgery for active management. Clinically, conservative medication treatment is generally adopted, paying attention to changes in the patient's consciousness and pupils, and surgical treatment may be considered if necessary.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Subarachnoid hemorrhage headache causes

Subarachnoid hemorrhage commonly presents with clinical symptoms such as headache, reflex vomiting, and even consciousness disorders, seizures, etc. The main reasons for headaches caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage are, firstly, increased intracranial pressure, and secondly, impaired absorption of cerebrospinal fluid, leading to excessive accumulation in the subarachnoid space causing headaches. Additionally, blood entering the subarachnoid space can stimulate the meninges and toxic substances can also cause headaches. Therefore, patients should go to the hospital for a complete cranial CT examination and consult with the Department of Neurology or Neurosurgery.