title: Rapidly growing internal carotid artery aneurysm after amphetamine abuse: case report.
abstract: Amphetamine is one of the most common illicitly abused drugs in certain countries. It is a potent sympathomimetic that may lead to vascular events, including stroke and myocardial infarction. Most reports of stroke after amphetamine abuse are of intracerebral hemorrhage. In this report, the authors describe a ruptured aneurysm of the right internal carotid artery in a young man with amphetamine abuse. It grew rapidly within 2 weeks. Surgery revealed fibrosis and fibrinoid necrosis around the aneurysm. The aneurysm was successfully embolized with Guglielmi detachable coil. A rapidly growing aneurysm in the major intracranial vessels resulting from amphetamine abuse is very rare.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung University and Medical Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. chenmd@ms8.hinet.net
authors.forename: Han-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cheng-Loong
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Kang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Chun-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lui
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography