title: Musical hallucinations associated with seizures originating from an intracranial aneurysm.
abstract: Hallucinations are defined as sensory phenomena in the absence of external sensory stimuli. Auditory hallucinations have been shown to arise from many different intracranial lesions, but seizures manifesting as musical hallucinations triggered by unruptured intracranial aneurysms are rare. We present a case of persistent, episodic musical hallucinations associated with seizures that led to the discovery of 2 small intracranial aneurysms. Typical electroencephalographic findings for seizure activity were observed but resolved after surgical clipping of the aneurysms. Concomitantly, the patient's hallucinations resolved. The literature on musical hallucinations is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Community Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz 85259, USA. roberts.daniel@mayo.edu
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tatini
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bortz
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Sirven
mesh_terms: D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome