Paediatric subarachnoid haemorrhage and severe vasospasm secondary to traumatic pseudoaneurysm of a fenestrated vertebral artery: a case report and review of the literature

Childs Nerv Syst. 2023 Aug;39(8):2187-2193. doi: 10.1007/s00381-023-05894-4. Epub 2023 May 10.

Abstract

Paediatric intracranial aneurysms are rare entities accounting for less than 5% of all age intracranial aneurysms. Traumatic aneurysms are more common in children and have an association with anatomical variations such as arterial fenestrations. Here, we present a case of a child initially presenting with traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage who returned to baseline and was discharged home only to return within 2 weeks with diffuse subarachnoid and intraventricular re-haemorrhage. A dissecting aneurysm of a duplicated (fenestrated) V4 vertebral artery segment was identified as a rare cause of rebleeding. We describe a course complicated by severe vasospasm delaying aneurysm detection and treatment. Dissecting aneurysms in children should be considered in all cases of delayed post-traumatic cranial rebleeding, particularly where there is anomalous arterial anatomy.

Keywords: Paediatric aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage; Paediatric traumatic aneurysm; Vasospasm; Vertebral artery fenestration.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm, False* / complications
  • Aneurysm, False* / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Dissection*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / complications
  • Child
  • Embolization, Therapeutic*
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Aneurysm* / surgery
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* / complications
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* / diagnostic imaging
  • Vertebral Artery / diagnostic imaging