Pseudosubarachnoid hemorrhage

BACKGROUND: Imaging findings postcardiac arrest can influence medical decisions and have impact on discussions with caregivers. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 44-year-old female presented to the emergency department and later had an in hospital cardiac arrest. Return of spontaneous circulation was obtained and the patient was taken for imaging which was read as diffuse bilateral subarachnoid hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain performed later showed no evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage nor was it seen later on autopsy. CONCLUSION: Pseudosubarachnoid hemorrhage can be seen in patients with diffuse cerebral edema, often in the setting of either hypercarbia or severe acute diffuse injury.