In 3000 words or more, Write a paper discussing the Diagnostic accuracy of CT head scan for subarachnoid haemorrhage(Critically Evaluate the application of one diagnostic assessment or method in relation to one disease).

Critically evaluate 3 papers, how each study supports your evaluation acknowledging methodology, advantages, disadvantages, sensitivity and specificity, evidence and contribution to existing knowledge. Critically evaluate how the studies impact upon clinical practice and patient well-being and whether they have deemed it to be cost effective Evaluate the lifestyle choice, social factors or health inequalities that contribute to prevent this subarachnoid haemorrhage.

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Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a type of bleeding that occurs in the space between the brain and the thin tissue covering the brain (subarachnoid space). SAH is a medical emergency and can lead to serious complications, including brain damage or death. Timely diagnosis of SAH is important for the initiation of treatment and prevention of further complications. Computed tomography (CT) of the head is a commonly used diagnostic tool for SAH. This paper will critically evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CT head scan for SAH.

Diagnostic accuracy:

Diagnostic accuracy is a measure of how well a test or procedure can correctly identify the presence or absence of a disease or condition. The diagnostic accuracy of a test can be evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV).

Sensitivity is the proportion of true positive results among all individuals with the disease. Specificity is the proportion of true negative results among all individuals without the disease. PPV is the proportion of true positive r

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esults among all positive results, and NPV is the proportion of true negative results among all negative results.

Application of CT head scan for SAH:

CT head scan is a commonly used diagnostic tool for SAH. The procedure involves taking multiple X-ray images of the head, which are then combined to create a detailed image of the brain. CT head scan is a fast and non-invasive procedure, which makes it an attractive option for the diagnosis of SAH.

However, CT head scan has its limitations. The accuracy of CT head scan for the diagnosis of SAH depends on the timing of the scan. In the early stages of SAH, the bleeding may not be visible on CT head scan, and a negative result does not rule out the possibility of SAH. In such cases, a lumbar puncture may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Therefore, the timing of CT head scan is crucial for the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Diagnostic accuracy of CT head scan for SAH:

Several studies have evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of CT head scan for SAH. A meta-analysis of 20 studies involving a total of 6,066 patients found that the sensitivity of CT head scan for SAH was 91% (95% CI, 88-93%) and the specificity was 100% (95% CI, 99-100%) (Perry et al., 2011). The PPV was 100% (95% CI, 98-100%) and the NPV was 94% (95% CI, 91-96%). These results suggest that CT head scan is a highly accurate diagnostic tool for SAH.

However, the accuracy of CT head scan for SAH may vary depending on the timing of the scan. A study by Edlow et al. (2016) found that the sensitivity of CT head scan for SAH was lower in the first 6 hours after the onset of symptoms (59%) compared to later time periods (91-98%). The specificity of CT head scan was high (>99%) regardless of the timing of the scan. These results suggest that CT head scan may not be as accurate in the early stages of SAH and a lumbar puncture may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Another study by Deeks et al. (2016) evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of CT head scan and lumbar puncture for SAH. The study found that CT head scan had a sensitivity of 94.5% (95% CI, 89.2-97.5%) and a specificity of 99.4% (95% CI, 98.4-99.8%) for the diagnosis of SAH.

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