Fatal Ruptured Blood Blister-like Aneurysm of Middle Cerebral Artery Associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type VIII (Periodontitis Type)

Objective To illustrate a unique instance of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VIII (EDS VIII) with blood blister-like aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery. Design This is a single patient case report. Setting University of Wisconsin-Madison Hospital. Participants A 42-year-old woman with diagnosis of EDS VIII presented with a sudden onset severe headache and altered mental status. She was diagnosed with Hunt and Hess grade IV subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiography demonstrated a blood blister-like aneurysm of the left middle cerebral artery. After an unsuccessful coiling attempt in another facility, the patient was operated on with the intention to perform extracranial to intracranial bypass and trapping of the diseased segment of the artery. Results The patient's neurologic condition remained poor after surgery. On postoperative day 2, her neurologic examination unchanged, and care was withdrawn per the family's request. Conclusions Individuals with EDS VIII may be at risk for catastrophic vascular events.