[A child case of subarachnoid hemorrhage triggered by head injury: a case report]

S Miyamoto1, M Yasuda, T Tsunoda

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Ibaraki Prefectural Center Hospital, Japan.

Insights

A child

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Neurovascular Imaging
  • Cerebrovascular Diseases

Background:

  • Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in children is rare and often challenging to diagnose.
  • Etiology can be diverse, including trauma, vascular malformations, and infections.

Observation:

  • A 9-year-old boy presented with cardiopulmonary arrest and coma after a minor head injury.
  • Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) scan revealed basal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
  • 3D-Computed Tomography Angiography (3D-CTA) identified two aneurysmal dilatations in the vertebrobasilar system.

Findings:

  • Autopsy confirmed a laceration of the left vertebral artery.
  • Microscopic examination revealed defects in the internal elastic membrane and medial smooth muscle cells, consistent with a congenital aneurysm.
  • The rupture of a presumed congenital aneurysm, triggered by head trauma, is the suspected cause of the hemorrhage.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the importance of considering congenital aneurysms in pediatric patients with unexplained subarachnoid hemorrhage, even after minor head trauma.
  • Early diagnosis and management of pediatric cerebral aneurysms are crucial for improving outcomes.
  • Further research into the specific risk factors and diagnostic challenges of pediatric aneurysms is warranted.

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