Pathological and radiological correlation of subarachnoid hemorrhage in phencyclidine abuse

Although hypertension can be associated with phencyclidine (PCP) use, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a rare result. The radiological and pathological findings are reported of a patient with acute SAH who had chromatographic evidence of PCP in his blood. The occurrence of SAH in a patient who uses PCP may be caused by a disrupted arterial vessel wall and/or vasospasm due to the pharmacological action of the drug on the cerebral vasculature.