A 45-year-old woman presents with sudden-onset severe headache described as ”the worst of her life”, associated with photophobia and vomiting. She has...

Question

A 45-year-old woman presents with sudden-onset severe headache described as ”the worst of her life”, associated with photophobia and vomiting. She has neck stiffness but no focal neurological deficit. What is the most appropriate initial investigation?

Accepted Answer

Non-contrast CT head

Answer

MRI brain with contrast

Answer

Lumbar puncture without imaging

Answer

CT cerebral angiography only

Answer

Plain skull X-ray

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Subarachnoid haemorrhage – initial investigation

A 45-year-old woman presents with sudden-onset severe headache described as ”the worst of her life”, associated with photophobia and vomiting. She has neck stiffness but no focal neurological deficit. What is the most appropriate initial investigation?