TRANSIENT ENLARGEMENT OF AN INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSM DURING PREGNANCY - CASE-REPORT

BACKGROUND The association of intracranial aneurysm and pregnancy is u ncommon. Hemodynamic stress plays an important role in the growth of a neurysms. METHODS The authors report the case of an enlarging cavernou s carotid aneurysm in a pregnant 15-year-old young woman. RESULTS The aneurysm was initially diagnosed prior to the patient's pregnancy by b oth cross-sectional imaging and cerebral angiography. Further imaging evaluation was required during pregnancy, which demonstrated significa nt enlargement of the aneurysm. Following delivery, the lesion decreas ed in size. CONCLUSIONS We review potential factors associated with pr egnancy that may increase hemodynamic stress and influence aneurysm gr owth. Additionally the management of pregnancy-related intracranial an eurysms is discussed. (C) 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc.