Ruptured cerebral aneurysm from choriocarcinoma

Gestational trophoblastic diseases include hydatidiform moles, invasive moles, choriocarcinoma, placental-site trophoblastic tumours and miscellaneous trophoblastic lesions. Choriocarcinoma is a rare disease that arises from the trophoblastic epithelium of the placenta at the beginning of pregnancy. Among the confirmed cases, 45% occur after molar pregnancy, 25% after normal pregnancy, 25% after an abortion and 5% after ectopic pregnancy. This tumour is usually diagnosed based on its histopathologic appearance and a high level of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG). Choriocarcinoma exhibits a good response to chemotherapy and radiation. However, it is also known for its tendency to spread rapidly to multiple organs, including the lungs, liver and brain. As one of the worst prognostic factors, brain metastasis complicates 3-28% of gestational choriocarcinoma cases. Increased β-HCG levels and a low serum cerebrospinal fluid β-HCG level can be strongly suggestive of intracranial choriocarcinoma, even in the absence of histopathologically proven disease. Reviewing the literature, there were 23 cases of intracerebral haemorrhage from an oncotic aneurysm as an initial presentation of choriocarcinoma. We report a further case of intracerebral haematoma secondary to oncotic aneurysm as the first presentation of metastatic choriocarcinoma with normal serum β-HCG.