Acute convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage: a cause of aura-like symptoms in the elderly.
Late-life onset aura-like symptoms are not rare and can be potentially misdiagnosed as transient ischaemic attacks. The cause is often obscure. Four cases of recurrent aura-like symptoms are presented in whom acute convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) contralateral to symptoms was demonstrated. Three experienced subsequent events or groups of events triggered by recurrent SAH. Negative diffusion-weighted imaging, normal electroencephalography and slow symptom march with complete resolution argued against ischaemic and epileptic causes. Aura-like symptoms in the elderly should be investigated with imaging modalities most sensitive for detecting subarachnoid blood, in particular gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging.
Kleinig
T J
TJ
Department of Neurology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia. timothy.kleinig@adelaide.edu.au
Kiley
M
M
Thompson
P D
PD
D000208:Acute Disease; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020325:Migraine with Aura / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*