[Ruptured cerebral aneurysm associated with aortitis syndrome: a case report].

In rare occasions, patients with aortitis syndrome have cerebral aneurysms and only seven cases have been reported so far. A case of aortitis syndrome complicated with basilar bifurcation aneurysm is reported. A 58-year-old woman, who had been hypertensive for 20 years and was diagnosed as pulseless disease 10 years ago, suddenly had severe headache and became unconscious on Feb. 17, 1983. Spinal tap performed 3 days after the onset demonstrated bloody cerebrospinal fluid. She was referred to our clinic 8 days following the ictus of subarachnoid hemorrhage. On admission, she was drowsy and had headache, neck stiffness, disorientation and left hemiparesis. Pulsation of the left common carotid and left radial artery was unpalpable. Angiography through the intraaortic catheter revealed occlusion of the left common and left subclavian arteries at their origin, confirming aortitis syndrome. Through the patent right vertebral artery, basilar artery was visualized and an aneurysm at the basilar bifurcation was noted. Seven cases reported in the literature were reviewed.