[Is early diagnosis possible in cerebral aneurysm? Symptoms of saccular cerebral aneurysms before the occurrence of massive subarachnoid hemorrhage. Literature review and discussion]

Abstract

Cerebral aneurysms may manifest as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Approximately two fifth of the patients with subarachnoidal hemorrhage complained of early symptoms prior to the major hemorrhage. The complaints may be headache as the most likely, cranial nerve palsies, different vegetative symptoms, transient neurologic deficits, etc. Considering the good outcome of surgical repair of cerebral aneurysms before a major hemorrhage occurs makes it evident that early diagnosis of intracerebral aneurysm is crucial. In the following we will discuss early signals and warning symptoms with respect to literature and personal experiences.