Fusiform aneurysms of the vertebral artery: a hidden cause of exertional headache?
BACKGROUND
There is only one reported case of recurrent coital headache related to an unruptured saccular aneurysm of the carotid artery.


METHODS
We report on two cases of isolated recurrent coital/exertional headaches ipsilateral to unruptured fusiform aneurysms of the vertebral artery diagnosed by CT angiography. While one case is being managed conservatively, a vertebral stent has been set in the other.


CONCLUSIONS
CT angiography with full visualisation of intracranial and upper cervical arteries could be used as a screening diagnostic procedure in these cases. Together with saccular aneurysms, fusiform aneurysms should be added to the IHS classification as aetiology for exertional recurrent headaches.
Neuroscience Area, University Hospital Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
Gerard
G
Mauri
Pedro
P
Vega
Eduardo
E
Murias
Juan
J
Vega
César
C
Ramón
Julio
J
Pascual
D000328:Adult; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D020217:Vertebral Artery Dissection / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery