Clinical and radiological characteristics of patients with spontaneous and post-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage: a retrospective observational study

Irfan Šabotić; Jovan Ilić; Aleksandar Kostić; Marija Djordjević; Vesna Nikolov; Miša Radisavljević; Boban Jelenković; Nikola Stojanović

doi:10.2298/VSP230208023S

Irfan Šabotić University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia
Jovan Ilić University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia
Aleksandar Kostić University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia; University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia
Marija Djordjević University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia
Vesna Nikolov University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia; University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia
Miša Radisavljević University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia
Boban Jelenković University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia
Nikola Stojanović University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP230208023S

Keywords: brain injuries, electrocardiography, hydrocephalus, intracranial aneurysm, sex factors, subarachnoid hemorrhage, vasospasm intracranial

Abstract

Background/Aim. Several serious complications can accompany both spontaneous and post-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) such as the development of intracranial hypertension, hydrocephalus, re-bleeding, cerebral hypoxia, cerebral vasospasm, impaired pituitary function, electrolyte imbalance, and electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities. Although there is a declining trend in mortality, the treatment of SAH and its complications represents a challenge even in imposing neurosurgical centers. The aim of the study was to compare some clinical characteristics and complications between spontaneous and post-traumatic SAH. Methods. The retrospective study included 138 patients treated at the Department of Neurosurgery from January 2018 to January 2023. There were 71 patients with spontaneous and 67 patients with post-traumatic SAH. Results. A predominance of spontaneous SAH in female and post-traumatic SAH in male patients (p < 0.001) was found. There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of hydrocephalus between groups of spontaneous and post-traumatic SAH patients (p = 0.013). Cerebral vasospasm was significantly more prevalent in patients with spontaneous SAH (p < 0.001). A statistically significant association was also obtained between the thickness of the coagulum in these two groups (p < 0.001). Patients with spontaneous SAH were significantly more likely to have a negative T wave in ECG findings (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference regarding electrolyte imbalance in these two groups of patients with SAH. Conclusion. There were statistically significant differences between gender distribution, the frequency of abnormal ECG findings in the form of a negative T wave, greater coagulum thickness, vasospasm occurrence, and a higher rate of hydrocephalus in patients with spontaneous SAH compared to patients with post-traumatic SAH.

Author Biographies

Irfan Šabotić, University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia

0631708146

Jovan Ilić, University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia

broj telefona

064/8839385

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0730-1060

Aleksandar Kostić, University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia; University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia

mobilni 0654738342

Marija Djordjević, University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia

0607265165

Vesna Nikolov, University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia; University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia

0653094135

Miša Radisavljević, University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia

0631094270

Boban Jelenković, University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia

069606545

Nikola Stojanović, University Clinical Center Niš, Department of Neurosurgery, Niš, Serbia

0600657776

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