Can the combination of a negative computed tomography result and a negative lumbar puncture safely exclude the diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients with thunderclap headache?

Abstract

Clinical question How many patients who had a negative computed tomography and lumbar puncture result on initial evaluation were diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage in the subsequent 6 months to 3 years? Article chosen Perry J, Spacek A, Forbes M, et al. Is the combination of negative computed tomography result and negative lumbar puncture result sufficient to rule out subarachnoid hemorrhage? Ann Emerg Med 2008;51:707-13. Objective To determine the sensitivity of both a negative computed tomography and a negative lumbar puncture in ruling out subarachnoid hemorrhage. © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians.