Etymed
subarachnoid hemorrhage
Definition
hemorrhage occurring in the subarachnoid space, the area between the arachnoid mater and pia mater of the meninges
Clinical context
A 35-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe headache described as 'the worst headache of my life.' She reports no trauma but mentions the headache came on abruptly while she was at work. On examination, she has neck stiffness and altered mental status. CT scan of the head shows hyperdensity in the basal cisterns.
Mnemonic
Thunderclap headache with neck stiffness = SAH