Rare anomalies of craniocervical vessels accompanied by subarachnoid hemorrhage

Abstract

Seven patients presenting rare vascular anomalies of the craniocerebral vessels are reported, six of whom suffered from subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Angiography demonstrated typically located saccular aneurysms as the cause of bleeding in three of these cases. An increased coincidence of rare vascular anomalies and aneurysms is known from the literature. Our findings suggest that in cases of SAH and rare cerebrovascular anomalies additional aneurysms can be demonstrated almost as often as in unselected cases of SAH (70%). Despite controversial aspects regarding the pathogenesis of cerebral aneurysms, abnormalities of the vessel walls of genetic or embryologic origin seem to be the most likely reason for this high coincidence.