Postangiographic contrast enhancement mimicking acute subdural hemorrhage in a patient with severe occipital headache and neurological symptoms: a case report

INTRODUCTION Neurological symptoms after percutaneous coronary intervention can have grave implications. The symptoms may result from relatively benign conditions like migraine to potentially life-threatening conditions such as intracranial bleeding. CASE PRESENTATION We describe a case of a 57-year-old woman who developed significant neurological symptoms following percutaneous coronary intervention. An early 'unenhanced' computed tomography scan of the brain was reported as a possible 'subdural haematoma'. The symptoms reversed within hours and the computed tomography scan was normal 24 hours later. The diagnosis and its possible mechanism are discussed. CONCLUSION Definitive diagnosis in such a case can only be obtained from the radiological features and thus a detailed study is essential.