Intracranial Aneurysms

Intracranial aneurysms are acquired lesions that are most commonly located at the branching points of the major arteries coursing through the subarachnoid space at the base of the brain (Figure 1). A subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is a devastating event associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Approximately 12 percent of patients die before receiving medical attention,1 40 percent of hospitalized patients die within one month after the event,26 and more than one third of those who survive have major neurologic deficits.26 Furthermore, persistent cognitive deficits are present in many patients . . .