Repeated neurovascular imaging in subarachnoid hemorrhage when initial studies are negative

Abstract

Approximately 15% of patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage have no causative lesion identified on their initial angiogram. We present two patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage with negative initial angiograms who were subsequently found to have small basilar perforator aneurysms on delayed neurovascular imaging. We discuss the possible mechanisms for false negative diagnostic cerebral angiograms. These patients support the current standard of care with repeat angiography in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage when no causative lesion can be identified on initial neurovascular imaging.

Keywords: Angiography; Cerebral angiography; Intracranial aneurysm; Subarachnoid hemorrhage.