Subarachnoid Hemorrhage vs Migraine
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and Migraine are easy to mix up on the boards. Here's a side-by-side comparison — presentation, workup, imaging, and first-line treatment — drawn from our full outlines.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage vs Migraine at a glance
- Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Bleeding into the subarachnoid space, usually from a ruptured saccular aneurysm.
- Migraine: Recurrent primary headache disorder with unilateral throbbing pain, photophobia, nausea.
Keep comparing — start your free trial
You've used your 2 free previews. Create your free account to see the full Subarachnoid Hemorrhage vs Migraine comparison — plus all 514 diagnosis outlines, 5,500+ board-style questions, and an AI tutor. Your 7-day free trial includes everything, no credit card required.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Subarachnoid Hemorrhage | Migraine |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | Bleeding into the subarachnoid space, usually from a ruptured saccular aneurysm. | Recurrent primary headache disorder with unilateral throbbing pain, photophobia, nausea. |
| Classic presentation | Thunderclap headache + meningismus + LOC. Hunt-Hess and World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grading scales predict outcome.; Sudden severe… | POUND mnemonic: Pulsatile, One-day duration (4-72 h), Unilateral, Nausea, Disabling — 4 of 5 features highly suggest migraine.; Prodrome (hours-days before):… |
| Workup / key labs | Subarachnoid blood on CT in basal cisterns, sylvian fissure, or interhemispheric fissure; or xanthochromia on LP.; CBC, coagulation panel, BMP, troponin… | ICHD-3 criteria: ≥5 attacks lasting 4-72 hours, with ≥2 of [unilateral, pulsating, moderate-severe, aggravated by activity] AND ≥1 of [nausea/vomiting,… |
| Imaging | Non-contrast head CT within 6 h of symptom onset is ~100% sensitive (drops to ~85% at 24 h, ~50% at 1 week); Lumbar puncture if CT negative but clinical… | Neuroimaging NOT routinely indicated for typical migraine with normal exam; MRI brain indicated for: red flags (SNOOP: Systemic symptoms/Secondary risk… |
| First-line treatment | ABCs; intubate if GCS ≤8 or airway compromise; BP control: target SBP <160 (or MAP <110) until aneurysm secured — IV nicardipine, clevidipine, or labetalol;… | Abortive: NSAIDs (ibuprofen 400-800 mg, naproxen 500 mg) for mild-moderate attacks; Triptan — sumatriptan 50-100 mg PO (also 6 mg SC, 20 mg nasal),… |
Drill Subarachnoid Hemorrhage vs Migraine questions on FirstPassPA
Turn this comparison into retention. 5,500+ board-style questions with an AI tutor that explains every answer — free to start, no card required.
Start studying free → Try today's free questionEducational use only. This outline is a study aid for PA students and is not medical advice or a substitute for clinical judgment. FirstPassPA is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NCCPA. PANCE® and PANRE® are registered trademarks of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.