Blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) are rare and challenging intracranial aneurysms. They pose significant diagnostic and surgical risks due to their delicate walls. Accounting for a small percentage of intracranial aneurysms, BBAs are pathologically pseudoaneurysms, often resulting from arterial dissection, with a high tendency to rupture. This report underscores the critical nature of BBAs by reviewing a case in which subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by a BBA rupture was difficult to diagnose with conventional imaging. We highlight the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) high-resolution vessel wall imaging (VWI) in discerning the subtle vascular abnormality of BBAs. The integration of the black-blood imaging technique within VWI provides superior contrast between the aneurysm and surrounding tissues, facilitating clearer visualization of the aneurysmal wall. The use of 3D T1-weighted imaging provides intricate details of the vessel wall including its contrast enhancement, which is crucial for a comprehensive assessment of a ruptured aneurysm. This case is consistent with the existing literature, supporting the role of VWI in the identification of ruptured BBAs, an area with limited but growing information on its diagnostic value. VWI is precise and accurate in the preoperative diagnosis of BBAs, emphasizing its potential to improve patient management and outcomes, especially in conditions with high risks of morbidity and mortality.
Keywords: blood blister-like aneurysm; internal carotid artery; magnetic resonance imaging; subarachnoid hemorrhage; vessel wall imaging.
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