Ruptured Aneurysm of the Anterior Communicating Artery in a Newborn: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

We report the case of a 3-week-old neonate who presented with massive subarachnoid and intraventricular hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery (ACommA). An attempt on endovascular treatment ended up with therapeutic closure of the parent artery. However, since further investigation revealed a disastrous supratentorial cerebral infarction as a result of the hemorrhage, active treatment was terminated and the neonate died a few days after the initial stroke. To the best of our knowledge and after reviewing available literature, this is one of only five cases of ACommA aneurysm in newborns reported to date. Bleeding from an ACommA aneurysm in a neonate thus represents an extreme clinical rarity. There are no available data comparing the efficacy and safety of microsurgical versus endovascular treatment in neonates and small infants, but the latter option may at least reduce the risk associated with open surgery and further blood loss in this age group.