Ruptured bilateral middle cerebral artery aneurysms diagnosed based on cerebral vasospasm-associated ischemic symptoms: A case report

Abstract

We report a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage presenting with ischemic symptoms due to cerebral vasospasm. A 64-year-old woman with right facial paralysis was referred to our hospital for treatment because of bilateral middle cerebral artery aneurysms observed using magnetic resonance imaging. She had no headache episodes; however, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed contrast enhancement of the aneurysmal wall only on the left side. Therefore, she was considered to have a ruptured aneurysm and underwent craniotomy and aneurysmal neck clipping. The postoperative course was uneventful; however, she developed aphasia and dysphagia 9 months after the surgery and was readmitted. New cerebral infarction and subarachnoid hemorrhage were observed on the right side, and the patient exhibited marked vasospasm. Because of a headache episode one week earlier, coil embolization was performed after the vasospasm. She was discharged home with a modified Rankin scale score of 2 and planned rehabilitation. Aneurysms that enlarge and rupture in a short time period should be treated with caution. Vessel wall imaging was useful in identifying the ruptured aneurysm in the current case.

Keywords

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage
• Cerebral vascular spasm
• MRI vessel wall imaging