| Abstract: | A patient in whom vasospasm of not only intracranial but also extracranial arteries was demonstrated after the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm was reported. A 55-year-old male was admitted with a ruptured left IC-PC aneurysm. Intracranial direct operation and continuous ventricular drainage were performed 33 hours after the rupture. Six days after the surgery, right hemiparesis and consciousness disturbances developed. Angiography revealed severe vasospasm of intra-and extracranial arteries, especially branches of the external carotid artery. The symptoms improved markedly following the superior cervical ganglionectomy and perivascular sympathectomy of cervical internal carotid artery on the left side. Vasospasm of the external carotid system, which has not been reported, was further investigated angiographically in 23 patients who had vasospasm of the intracranial arteries after aneurysm rupture. In about 50% of these patients was found vasospasm of the external carotid system too. These changes were not found in control cases without vasospasm of the intracranial arteries. Pathogenesis of the vasospasm of the external carotid system was discussed with particular emphasis on the relationship with the sympathetic nerves. |
