Hemorragia subaracnóidea traumática

Introduction: Recent studies have shown association between the presence of blood in subarachnoid space in the first head computed tomography and the prognosis of patients with traumatic brain injury. The importance for the pathophysiology of brain trauma and the large incidence of traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage led the authors to conduct a review with specificguidelines for classification, diagnosis and treatment. Material and Methods: Review articles listed in MEDLINE/Index Medicus database and LILACS, comprising a period from January 1970 to March 2008, were collected. Results: Thirty seven articles with the greatest impact from a collection of 192 were selected, considering 132 written in English or in Portuguese. Conclusions: Traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage is a marker of poor prognosis in patients with moderate and severe head trauma and management involves advanced neurointensive care.