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Intracranial Infectious Aneurysms

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Atlas of Infections in Neurosurgery and Spinal Surgery

Abstract

Intracranial infectious aneurysms (IIAs), or mycotic aneurysms or microbial aneurysms, are rare cerebrovascular lesions that occur through microbial infection of the cerebral arterial wall. Although some cases remain asymptomatic, most symptomatic patients present with symptoms related to aneurysm rupture and to its causative origin. IIAs are typically thin-walled and friable, often with a wide or absent neck and a high tendency to rupture and bleed. Echocardiography is mandatory to look for signs of endocarditis, the most common source of the infection. Treatment is based on administration of antibiotics in combination with surgical or endovascular procedures according to the character and position of the aneurysm and the clinical condition of the patient. IIAs constitute a distinct group of potentially fatal cerebrovascular lesions. Patients with immunosuppression, those with fungal aneurysm, and those with multiple IIAs have a high mortality rate.

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Akhaddar, A. (2017). Intracranial Infectious Aneurysms. In: Atlas of Infections in Neurosurgery and Spinal Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60086-4_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60086-4_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-60085-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-60086-4

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