Spontaneous Subarachnoid Haemorrhage: Some Aspects of its Pathogenesis and Management

Abstract

The recognition of spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage as a clinical entity, distinct from the many other conditions all previously grouped under the comprehensive heading of Apoplexy was first made by Collier in 1922. A year or so later Symonds reviewed 124 cases described m the literature and concluded that rupture of an intracranial aneurysm was probably the major cause of this syndrome. His opinion is now widely held, and it seems probable that on a proportionate basis the main aetiological factors are:-

1. Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm responsible for 80% of cases.
2. Arteriovenous malformations responsible for 10% of cases.
3. Other diseases (e.g. neoplasm. blood dyscrasia)- responsible for I 0% of cases.

The content of this article is largely referable to spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage following rupture of an intracranial aneurysm.