Dyskinesia as a unique presentation of subarachnoid hemorrhage: a case report

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a diagnosis that emergency physicians must have a high index of suspicion for. Many common chief complaints such as headache, nausea, altered mental status, and even syncope may alert clinicians to the possibility of a SAH. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors present an unusual case of SAH in a patient presenting with acute dyskinesia and altered mental status, which has seldom been documented as the presenting feature of SAH, as well as the diagnostic pitfalls encountered in assessing this patient. CONCLUSION: Emergency physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for dangerous pathology in cases without a clear etiology; they should also utilize metacognition to assess their own biases and thought patterns so as to avoid missing critical diagnoses.