Hunt and Hess Grades I-V Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Hunt and Hess Grades I-V Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a type of neurological disorder in which blood leaks into the space between the arachnoid and pia mater of the brain. This type of bleed can result in serious complications such as brain damage, stroke, or even death.
The Hunt and Hess scale (H&H scale) is a grading system used by doctors to evaluate the severity of subarachnoid hemorrhage. It has been used since 1968, and it is a useful tool for doctors to determine the prognosis and the course of care for the patient.
The Hunt and Hess scale is composed of grades I to V, with grades I being the least severe and V being the most severe.
Grade I
- Mild headache, nausea, and/or vomiting
- No neurological deficit
- Normal motor and sensory functions
Grade II
- Moderate to severe headache
- Altered level of consciousness and/or meningeal irritation
- Normal or near-normal mental status
- Some motor or sensory deficits
Grade III
- Severe headache and/or meningismus
- Mental status changes such as confusion, lethargy, or mild coma
- Focal motor or sensory deficits or hemiplegia
Grade IV
- Coma or severe confusion
- Ipsilateral cranial nerve palsies
- Deficits such as hemiplegia, quadriplegia, or unilateral mydriasis
Grade V
- Unarousable coma
- Bilateral cranial nerve palsies
- Severe motor or sensory deficits, often accompanied by respiratory depression
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