Intracranial aneurysms - a battle against time

Abstract

Introduction: Intracranial aneurysms consist in abnormal dilatation of the cerebral arteries, most frequently asymptomatic, with symptoms appearing in the case of aneurysm rupture. From an imaging point of view, a cranial CT scan shows the subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by aneurysm rupture and the “gold standard” for aneurysm diagnosis is cerebral angiography.

Case presentation: A 49 years-old female, Ukrainian refugee, presented with a unique comitial crisis and chronic headache. Following an MRI performed in Kiev, it was decided to perform a bilateral carotid and vertebral angiography in our clinic. Clinical and imagistic results showed a giant left middle cerebral artery aneurysm. Postoperative, the patient had a favourable neurological recovery, with no neurological deficits. Additionally, control angiography and CT scan highlight complete occlusion of the aneurysm and no complications.

Conclusions: Cerebral aneurysms represent a high-risk vascular condition that needs a CT scan and angiography to be precisely diagnosed, surgical clipping should be performed as soon as possible.