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Coup de poignard of Michon

Dr Jeremy Jones and Dr Frank Gaillard et al.

Coup de poignard of Michon refers to spinal subarachnoid haemorrhage, usually as a result of a spinal AVM.

Presentation is with sudden excruciating back pain, akin to being stabbed with a dagger (poignard = french for dagger). It is the corollary of the thunderclap headache.