Objective To investigate the clinical and imaging features of pseudo subarachnoid hemorrhage(pseudo-SAH) in order to provide a theoretical basis for correct diagnosis and reducing misdiagnosis.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 5 patients with pseudo-SAH were retrospectively analyzed and summarized.Results Five pseudo-SAH patients had a history of unconsciousness,respiratory disorder,mechanical ventilation,hypoxemia and acidosis.Cranial CT showed diffuse cerebral edema and high density of cerebral fissure and cerebral ventricle,and there was no bloody cerebrospinal fluid via lumbar puncture.In the five patients,one improved,three died,and one gave up treating because of invalid treatment.Conclusions All patients have a history of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy before onset of pseudo-SAH.The clinical manifestation of pseudoSAH includes encephalopathy symptom such as unconsciousness,headache,seizure,etc.Cranial CT shows diffuse cerebral edema,high density of cerebral fissure and cerebral ventricle,and there is no bloody cerebrospinal fluid via lumbar puncture.Prognosis of pseudo-SAH is often bad.And most patients show critically illness and high mortality.