Intracranial aneurysm in childhood and interrupted aortic arch.

BACKGROUND

Intracranial aneurysms are very rare in children. Headache and nausea/vomiting are the most prominent clinical findings. The only effective treatment is obliteration of aneurysm by surgical or endovascular techniques. Interrupted aortic arch is also a rare, congenital cardiovascular malformation characterized by the lack of continuity between the ascending and descending thoracic aorta. Aortic interruption is an uncommon cause of intracranial aneurysm. The course of disease is lethal unless effective collateral flow develops. Long-term survival may be possible with surgical repair.

METHODS

We report on a 17-year-old boy affected with interrupted aortic arch disease and associated multiple intracranial aneurysms. Both aneurysms clipped successfully. After patient had recovered, he referred to cardiovascular surgery for further treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical or endovascular obliteration remains the main therapy for intracranial aneurysms. Accompanying systemic diseases such as interrupted aortic arch challenge the management of both diseases.