What causes Berry aneurysm sign in intracranial arteries on CTA/MRA?
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Answer: Rounded saccular outpouching at arterial bifurcation, classically anterior communicating artery, representing typical intracranial saccular aneurysm, which may rupture causing subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Why is it called so?
Named for its rounded, berry-like shape resembling a berry hanging from a stem or vine at the arterial bifurcation.
Pathophysiology
Weakening of the arterial wall, often at high shear stress points like bifurcations due to hemodynamic forces and congenital medial defects, leads to focal dilation forming a saccular outpouching filled with patent blood flow.
Alternative names: Saccular aneurysm sign
Other associated named signs: None
References
- Allaw S, Khabaz K, Given TC, Montas D, Alcazar-Felix RJ, Srinath A, Kass-Hout T, Carroll TJ, Hurley MC, Polster SP. A Review of Intracranial Aneurysm Imaging Modalities, from CT to State-of-the-Art MR. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2025.
- Lubicz B, Levivier M, François O, Thoma P, Sadeghi N, Collignon L, Balériaux D. Sixty-four-row multisection CT angiography for detection and evaluation of ruptured intracranial aneurysms: interobserver and intertechnique reproducibility. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2007.
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