A 49-year-old woman presents with sudden onset severe occipital headache described as "the worst headache of my life". It reached peak intensity withi...

Question

A 49-year-old woman presents with sudden onset severe occipital headache described as "the worst headache of my life". It reached peak intensity within seconds. She vomited once. On examination she is photophobic but has no focal neurology. What is the most appropriate initial investigation?

Accepted Answer

Non-contrast CT head urgently

Answer

MRI brain as outpatient

Answer

Lumbar puncture immediately without imaging

Answer

Carotid Doppler ultrasound

Answer

No investigation is needed if symptoms settle

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Subarachnoid haemorrhage

A 49-year-old woman presents with sudden onset severe occipital headache described as "the worst headache of my life". It reached peak intensity within seconds. She vomited once. On examination she is photophobic but has no focal neurology. What is the most appropriate initial investigation?