Mohan M, Islim AI, Rasul FT, Rominiyi O, deSouza RM, Poon MTC, Jamjoom AAB, Kolias AG, Woodfield J, Patel K, Chari A, Kirollos R. Subarachnoid haemorrhage with negative initial neurovascular imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2019;
161:2013-2026. [PMID:
31410556 PMCID:
PMC6739283 DOI:
10.1007/s00701-019-04025-w]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background
In patients with spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), a vascular cause for the bleed is not always found on initial investigations. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the delayed investigation strategies and clinical outcomes in these cases, often described as “non-aneurysmal” SAH (naSAH).
Methods
A systematic review was performed in concordance with the PRISMA checklist. Pooled proportions of primary outcome measures were estimated using a random-effects model.
Results
Fifty-eight studies were included (4473 patients). The cohort was split into perimesencephalic naSAH (PnaSAH) (49.9%), non-PnaSAH (44.7%) and radiologically negative SAH identified on lumbar puncture (5.4%). The commonest initial vascular imaging modality was digital subtraction angiography. A vascular abnormality was identified during delayed investigation in 3.9% [95% CI 1.9–6.6]. There was no uniform strategy for the timing or modality of delayed investigations. The pooled proportion of a favourable modified Rankin scale outcome (0–2) at 3–6 months following diagnosis was 92.0% [95% CI 86.0–96.5]. Complications included re-bleeding (3.1% [95% CI 1.5–5.2]), hydrocephalus (16.0% [95% CI 11.2–21.4]), vasospasm (9.6% [95% CI 6.5–13.3]) and seizure (3.5% [95% CI 1.7–5.8]). Stratified by bleeding pattern, we demonstrate a higher rate of delayed diagnoses (13.6% [95% CI 7.4–21.3]), lower proportion of favourable functional outcome (87.2% [95% CI 80.1–92.9]) and higher risk of complications for non-PnaSAH patients.
Conclusion
This study highlights the heterogeneity in delayed investigations and outcomes for patients with naSAH, which may be influenced by the initial pattern of bleeding. Further multi-centre prospective studies are required to clarify optimal tailored management strategies for this heterogeneous group of patients.
Electronic supplementary material
The online version of this article (10.1007/s00701-019-04025-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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