CTHeadIntermediate

Berry aneurysm / subarachnoid haemorrhage

neuroradiologyhaemorrhageaneurysmemergencysubarachnoidCTA

Clinical presentation

Sudden thunderclap headache — the worst of the patient’s life — with neck stiffness and photophobia.

Key imaging findings

  • Hyperdense blood filling the basal cisterns and sulci on non-contrast CT
  • Blood may extend into the ventricles or interhemispheric/sylvian fissures
  • CT angiography reveals a saccular aneurysm, commonly at the anterior communicating artery
  • Hydrocephalus from impaired CSF resorption

Form your diagnosis, then reveal the answer.

Educational teaching content only. Imaging appearances vary; always correlate clinically and confirm with a qualified radiologist.