Traumatic false aneurysm of the middle meningeal artery causing an intracerebral hemorrhage: Case report and literature review

BACKGROUND Traumatic false aneurysms of the meningeal arteries are rare. We report an unusual case of an intracerebral hematoma caused by the rupture of a traumatic aneurysm of the middle meningeal artery. CASE DESCRIPTION A 64-year-old woman suffered a massive spontaneous intracerebral fronto-temporal hemorrhage. Cerebral angiogram revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the middle meningeal artery. At operation, a skull fracture was discovered in the vicinity of the aneurysm. The patient died the day after surgery. CONCLUSION Although rare, traumatic meningeal aneurysms should be considered as a possible cause of cerebral hematoma. Because of their potential morbidity and mortality, they must be detected and treated rapidly. (C) 2002 by Elsevier Science Inc.