Pseudo subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Finding of Diffuse Cerebral Edema Leading to Misdiagnosis

Increased attenuation of the basal cisterns and subarachnoid spaces on CT scans is a characteristic finding of acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. CT mimics of SAH have been called pseudo-SAH. Our case is presented to underline the differentiation of two diagnosis. A 63-year-old man was admitted to the emergency room with right-sided hemiparesis and aphasia. He had middle cerebral artery enfarct on his CT. A week after his hospitalisation his neurological examination was deteriorated. A plain CT-scan of brain was consistent with sub-arachnoid hemorrhage. His antiagregant therapy was ended and anti edema therapy started. Urgent neurosurgical consultation was sought & surgery was not planned. Brain death was the finding in his CT angiography. So the CT-scan findings turned out to be `pseudo sub-arachnoid haemorrhage’.Pseudo sub-arachnoid haemorrhage is a rare CT scan finding that has been reported in different cerebral disease with cerebral edema. MR imaging studies, CSF examination by lumbar puncture and the criterias proposed by Yazawa can be useful to make the diagnosis. The aim is the unnecessary termination of antiagregant and anticoagulant therapy