Arteriovenous malformation presenting as hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage in an elderly patient--case report.

A hypertensive 72-year-old male presented with a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) manifesting as hematoma indistinguishable from common putaminal hemorrhage on precontrast computed tomography scan. The AVM was located in the proximal sylvian region fed by branches of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries. The AVM was totally removed. Although bleeding from AVM in the elderly is uncommon, the cause of even common hypertensive hemorrhage should be identified by other imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral angiography to allow the optimum treatment.