Warning signs in intracranial aneurysms.

Warning signs preceding major hemorrhage were analyzed in 192 patients with intracranial aneurysms. One hundred and thirteen (59 percent) had warning signs. The average interval between the last warning signs and the major attacks was 16.9 ddays with anterior communicating and anterior cerebral aneurysms, 6 days with middle cerebral aneurysms, and 7.3 days with intradural internal carotid aneurysms. The incidence was much higher in aneurysms (69 percent) and with location of the aneurysms. Early recognition of warning signs may protect patients from the devasting effects of major hemmorhage.