Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Diagnosis: Lumbar Puncture Is Still Needed When the Computed Tomography Scan Is Normal

Is lumbar puncture still needed in suspected subarachnoid hemorrhage after a negative head computed tomographic scan?

CLINICAL QUESTION Is lumbar puncture still needed in suspected subarachnoid hemorrhage with a negative head computed tomographic scan performed within 6 hours of headache onset? ARTICLE CHOSEN Perry JJ, Stiell IG, Sivilotti ML, et al. Sensitivity of computed tomography performed within six hours of onset of headache for diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage: prospective cohort study. BMJ 2011...

Subarachnoid hemorrhage diagnosis by computed tomography and lumbar puncture: are fifth generation CT scanners better at identifying subarachnoid hemorrhage?

This study sought to determine the sensitivity and specificity of modern computed tomography (CT) scans for the diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). No studies have been done recently with fifth generation CT scanners to look at the diagnosis of SAH. A retrospective chart review was done of Emergency Department (ED), laboratory, and hospital records at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Gr...

Is computed tomography of the head useful before lumbar puncture?

Yield of catheter angiography after computed tomography negative, lumbar puncture positive subarachnoid hemorrhage [corrected].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Patients suspected of having aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are initially evaluated with noncontrast head computed tomography. If the computed tomography is negative, but clinical concern for SAH is high, a lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid analysis is typically performed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid xanth...

IS LUMBAR PUNCTURE JUSTIFIABLE IN THE FIRST FEBRILE SEIZURE?

To ascertain whether LP was justifiable in cases of first simple febrile seizure, the records of128 such patients were critically reviewed in this study. It was evident that in 90% of those who received cerebrospinal fluid examination as a routine work up, lumbar puncture could have been avoided if the definition of simple febrile seizure was adhered to and the history and clinical finding...