Objective: To identity clinical features that distinguish between cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)-associated convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage (cSAH) and suspected TIA.
Methods: We undertook a single-centre, retrospective case-control study. We identified cases [patients with cSAH presenting with transient focal neurological episodes (TFNE)] from radiological and clinical databases of patients assessed at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and UCLH Comprehensive Stroke Service. We identified age- and gender-matched controls at a 1:4 ratio from a database of consecutive suspected TIA clinic attendances at UCLH. We compared presenting symptoms and vascular risk factors between cases and controls.
Results: We included 19 patients with cSAH-associated TFNE and 76 matched controls with suspected TIA. Migratory (spreading) symptoms (32% vs. 3%, OR 17.3; p = 0.001), sensory disturbance (47% vs. 14%, OR 5.3; p = 0.003,) and recurrent stereotyped events (47% vs. 19%, OR 3.7; p = 0.02,) occurred more frequently in patients with cSAH compared to controls. Hypercholesterolaemia was less common in patients with cSAH (16% vs 53%, OR 0.17; p = 0.008).
Conclusion: Simple clinical features could help distinguish cSAH-associated TFNE from suspected TIA, with relevance for investigation and management, including the use of antithrombotic drugs.
Keywords: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy; Convexial subarachnoid haemorrhage; Mimic; Non-traumatic convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage; Transient ischaemic attack.