Chapter 38 - Traumatic Intracranial Aneurysms

Abstract

Traumatic intracranial aneurysms represent <1% of intracranial aneurysms, and arise from direct or indirect trauma to the vessel wall. Unlike saccular or fusiform aneurysms, most traumatic aneurysms lack a true vessel wall and are contained by perivascular tissue directly adjacent to an injured blood vessel. The interval between initial injury and symptoms of rupture varies from days to months, and the rupture of traumatic aneurysms is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This chapter provides an overview of the incidence, pathophysiology, natural history, clinical presentation, and management of traumatic intracranial aneurysms.