Thunderclap Headache
Type: Symptom
Definition
A severe headache of sudden onset that reaches maximum intensity within seconds to minutes.
Clinical Details
The rapid hemorrhage within the pituitary gland causes sudden and extreme stretching of the dura mater that lines the sella turcica. The pain is agonizing, explosive, and peaks almost immediately, often described by patients as the worst headache of their life. It is frequently accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting.