II. Indications

  1. New, severe non-Traumatic Headache reaching maximal intensity within one hour
  2. Age >15 years

III. Contraindications

  1. New associated neurologic deficits
  2. Cerebral Aneurysm history (or prior Subarachnoid Hemorrhage)
  3. Brain neoplasm history
  4. Chronic Recurrent Headache (3 or more Headaches in >=6 months)

IV. Criteria

  1. Age over 40 years old
  2. Witnessed loss of consciousness (+LR: 3.77)
  3. Neck Pain or stiffness (more suggestive of severe SAH, +LR 2.29)
  4. Limited neck flexion on exam
  5. Thunderclap headadache (severity peaks rapidly, within 15-60 minutes)
  6. Onset during exertion (Exertional Headache, +LR 2.16)

V. Interpretation

  1. All criteria absent excludes nearly 100% of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage cases
    1. Test Sensitivity: 99.5 to 100%
    2. Test Specificity: 8 to 24%

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