Spontaneous Spinal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Presentation and Outcome

SSAH should be considered in patients with sudden onset of severe back pain and headache, especially if as associated with lower extremity weakness or urinary retention. Our findings suggest that older patients with poorly controlled hypertension are at particular risk for spontaneous SSAH. In our study vascular anomalies were found in 25% of patients, vasculitis in 25%, hyponatremia in 63%, and cord compression in 50%. Cord compression may be managed conservatively. Mortality was 25% in the 3 months following the initial event, primarily due to other medical comorbidities.