The value of repeated lumbar puncture to test for xanthochromia, in patients with clinical suspicion of subarachnoid haemorrhage, with CT-negative and initial traumatic tap

Figures & data

Table 1. Study patients characteristics: Negative xanthochromia with repeat LP.

Patient	Symptom(s)	Time from symptom onset to CT-scan	Initial LP xanthochromia	Repeat LP xanthochromia result	Repeat LP image-guided/Grade of performing clinician	CTA findings	Time from presentation to discharge
40/M	Sudden onset headache	12–18 h	LP Equivocal (‘bloody tap’)	Negative	Non-image guided/Specialist registrar	None^a	8 days
48/F	Thunderclap headache	12–18 h	LP Equivocal (‘likely traumatic tap’)	Negative	Fluoroscopy-guided LP/Consultant Neuroradiologist	None	5 days
48/M	Thunderclap headache	6–12 h	LP Equivocal (‘likely traumatic tap’)	Negative	Non-image guided/Specialist registrar	None	3 days
51/M	Headache/Dizziness/Nausea	6–12 h	LP Equivocal (‘multiple attempts’)	Negative	Non-image guided/Specialist registrar	None	4 days
53/M	Thunderclap headache/Nausea	0–6 h	LP Equivocal (‘5 attempts/difficult LP’)	Negative	Fluoroscopy-guided LP/Consultant Neuroradiologist	None^a	6 days
57/M	Thunderclap headache/Nausea	6–12 h	LP Equivocal (‘traumatic’)	Negative	Non-image guided/Specialist registrar	None	4 days
59/M	Thunderclap headache	6–12 h	LP Equivocal	Negative	Non-image guided/Specialist registrar	None	5 days

^aDigital Subtraction Angiography also performed, no aneurysm detected.

M: Male; F: Female.