Case Series of Ruptured Jamaican Berry Aneurysms Four Decades Ago

Abstract

Objective
From our personal experiences, it is our wish to examine the incidence of ruptured intracranial aneurysms about four decades ago in Jamaica, the West Indies, with regards to postoperative deterioration of neurological/psychological functions.
Materials and Method
The author, while working in Jamaica, the West Indies, from 1975 to 1977 (3 years), operated on 6 cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysms of 5 females and 1 male. The source of these data is from the author's surgery records.
Result
There were 4 aneurysms from the posterior communicating artery, and 1 each from the anterior communicating artery, and the middle cerebral artery. Their ages ranged from 31 to 64 years. They presented with diverse neurological disturbances. Their aneurysms, which were diagnosed through contrast carotid angiography, were all clipped through fronto-lateral craniotomy under general anaesthesia. The procedures were well tolerated by the patients. There were no complications and no gross additional neurological deficits postoperatively. The wounds had healed by primary intention. The patients were discharged home 12 days postoperatively, the stitches having been removed 2 days earlier. Follow-up checks started about 7 days after discharge. The neurological deficits had cleared about 3 months later.
Conclusion
Having bled, the aneurysms exposed themselves by causing sudden severe headaches, and various neurological problems, depending on their locations. We found more females than males. The posterior communicating artery aneurysm was predominant. There were no cerebro-vascular spasms postoperatively.

Greek -- -- ANEURYSMA (Ana= up or across, eurys = wide or broad)

Key Words: Subarachnoid Haemorrhage, Cerebro-Vascular Spasms