Background: Treating a ruptured cerebral aneurysm during symptomatic vasospasm is very difficult. We describe the successful endovascular treatment of such a case and discuss its efficacy.
Case presentation: A 34-year-old man had a sudden onset of severe headache. One week later, he was referred to our institute with gradually progressing right hemiparesis and global aphasia. Cerebral angiography demonstrated severe vasospasm of the left internal carotid artery system and an anterior communicating artery aneurysm. With the patient under general anesthesia, 90% occlusion of the aneurysm was achieved with detachable coils after successful dilatation of the spastic vessels. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and his neurologic symptoms were improved. Seven months after the endovascular treatment, the enlarged neck remnant of the aneurysm was successfully clipped without difficulty.
Conclusion: The simultaneous treatment of a ruptured aneurysm and vasospasm with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and coils can produce a better outcome for the patient.