Unruptured intracranial aneurysm and transient focal cerebral ischemia: a follow-up study.

Transient focal cerebral ischemia may occasionally be due to distal embolization of a clot from an unruptured intracranial aneurysm. Follow-up data in 12 such patients revealed no ischemic strokes, subarachnoid or parenchymal hemorrhages in a mean follow-up period of 6.5 years. The aneurysms ranged in size from 2 to 12 mm in diameter, and only two were larger than 10 mm. Two patients had clip ligation of the aneurysm, five patients were given platelet antiaggregation therapy, one was given oral anticoagulants after aortic valve surgery, and four had no specific therapy. The prognosis for unruptured aneurysms presenting with transient focal ischemia was good, regardless of therapy.