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Hunt & Hess classification of subarachnoid haemorrhage

Clinical grade and prognosis for aneurysmal SAH.

Hunt & Hess classification of subarachnoid haemorrhage
Clinical grade
ResultGrade I

Approximate survival about 70 %; higher grades carry worse surgical risk and outcome.

Approximate survival
70 %

When to use

  • Grading severity and estimating prognosis in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Formula

Grades I-V by level of consciousness, headache, meningismus, and focal deficit. Add one grade for serious systemic disease or severe vasospasm.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Survival figures are historical surgical-era estimates and vary with modern neurocritical care.

References

  1. Hunt WE, Hess RM. J Neurosurg. 1968;28(1):14-20.