Delayed presentation of post-traumatic aneurysm of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery in a patient with spinal cord injury.

STUDY

DESIGN

A case report.

OBJECTIVE

To present and discuss the case of a patient with serious head and spinal injuries who suffered delayed haemorrhage from a post-traumatic aneurysm of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery following surgical treatment of vertebral fracture and hydrocephalus.

SETTING

National Spinal Injuries Unit and Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

METHODS

Clinical and radiological follow-up of the patient.

RESULTS

The aneurysm was treated by coil occlusion of the right vertebral artery. Post-operative films showed that the aneurysm had been successfully obliterated.

CONCLUSION

Post-traumatic cerebral aneurysms are very rare. Neurosurgical and rehabilitation teams need to be aware of this late treatable sequela of head injury.