Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Double Direct Injection of Blood into the Cisterna Magna as a Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: August 30, 2020
Subarachnoid haemorrhage with "Ecstasy" abuse in a young adult
1Second Medical Department, Division of Cardiology and Intensive Care, General Hospital Wels, Grieskirchnerstrasse 42, A-4600 Wels, Austria.
Abstract:
Abuse of the drugs like amphetamine, cocaine and "Ecstasy" may be complicated by intracerebral, subdural or subarachnoid haemorrhage. Contrary to historical opinion, drug-related intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is frequently related to an underlying vascular malformation. We report the case of an 18-year-old man with a history of Ecstasy abuse preceding the onset of severe occipital headache. Cerebral computed tomography revealed right-sided subarachnoid haemorrhage and cerebral angiography showed right-sided middle cerebral artery aneurysm of 1 cm diameter. The patient was treated surgically with aneurysm clipping. Three weeks after onset of intracranial haemorrhage, neurological examination demonstrated normal findings. A history of severe headache immediately after using amphetamine, Ecstasy, or cocaine should alert doctors to the possibility of intracerebral haemorrhage. Arteriography should be part of the evaluation of most young patients with stroke or non-traumatic ICH.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents
Toxidromes: Clinical Features
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Brain Abscess l: Introduction
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

