Rupture of intracranial aneurysms during cerebral angiography: report of ten cases and review of the literautre.

Ten new cases of intracranial aneurysms that ruptured during cerebral angiography, obtained from four local hospitals and the practices of eight angiographers, are detailed. A review of the literature reveals 28 other well-documented cases. An analysis of this clinical material shows that internal carotid injections are not necessarily more dangerous than common carotid injections. Although critically ill patients are at higher risk and must be treated with caution, there is not enough evidence to warrant a delay in angiography to avoid rupture. The recent trend toward early angiography in cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage is reflected in the statistical analysis. A plea for meticulous angiographic technique is advanced.