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Updated: May 16, 2026
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Microsurgical Clip Obliteration of Middle Cerebral Aneurysm Using Intraoperative Flow Assessment
Published on: September 25, 2009
Clinical presentation of cerebral aneurysms.
Alessandro Cianfoni1, Emanuele Pravatà, Roberto De Blasi
1Neurocentro della Svizzera Italiana, Ospedale Civico di Lugano, via Tesserete, 46, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland.
European Journal of Radiology
|December 15, 2012
Summary
Cerebral aneurysms can be found incidentally or present with varied symptoms, from vague headaches to severe subarachnoid hemorrhage. Recognizing subtle signs is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of these potentially devastating vascular conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Cerebral aneurysms can be discovered incidentally or present with symptoms related to unruptured or ruptured states.
- Unruptured aneurysms are often asymptomatic or cause non-specific symptoms like headache.
- Ruptured aneurysms are a leading cause of non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, posing a neurological emergency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the clinical spectrum of unruptured and ruptured intracranial aneurysms.
- To highlight typical and uncommon clinical presentations.
- To discuss underlying pathophysiology and diagnostic challenges.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of clinical features.
- Analysis of typical and atypical presentations.
- Examination of pathophysiologic mechanisms and diagnostic pitfalls.
Main Results:
- Intracranial aneurysms present across a wide clinical spectrum, from incidental findings to emergent subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- Oculomotor nerve palsies may suggest posterior circulation aneurysms.
- Delayed diagnosis can result from failure to recognize subtle or ambiguous symptoms.
Conclusions:
- A broad understanding of aneurysm presentations is essential for accurate diagnosis.
- Early recognition of both common and rare clinical signs improves patient outcomes.
- Awareness of diagnostic pitfalls is critical in managing intracranial aneurysms.
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