Delayed diagnosis of post-traumatic aneurysm of distal anterior cerebral artery

BACKGROUND: Traumatic intracranial aneurysms (TICA) are often associated with poor prognosis and should be diagnosed as soon as possible to prevent delayed intracranial hemorrhage and high rates of morbidity/mortality related to bleeding. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. The goal of treatment is to exclude the aneurysm issue with surgical or endovascular methods. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 19-year-old boy who suffered a cranio-orbital trauma; 2 weeks after initial trauma he deteriorates with a new intracranial bleeding. Immediate angiography resulted negative. Delayed follow-up by magnetic resonance angiography showed an unruptured aneurysm of anterior cerebral artery that was successfully clipped. CONCLUSIONS: A TICA should be suspected in case of delayed deterioration in head-injured patient, prompt diagnosis and treatment could improve prognosis and reduce morbidity and mortality.