Question #395
Considering the Circle of Willis, which of the following statements is correct?
The Circle of Willis is the anastomosis of the two vertebral arteries and the two internal carotid arteries. It lies within in the subarachnoid space. The large number of branches and changes in direction of blood flow can result in turbulence and will cause further weakness of a defective vessel wall resulting in an aneurysm.
These aneurysms can slowly enlarge and sometimes rupture resulting in blood collecting in the subarachnoid space – known as a subarachnoid haemorrhage. The patient often complains of “the worst headache ever” or “it feels like someone hit me in the back of the head.” 1/3rd of patients with ruptured aneurysms die before reaching hospital, another 1/3rd make a complete recovery, the final 1/3rd are left with long-term neurological deficit.
