Human immunodeficiency virus associated intracranial aneurysms: report of three adult patients with an overview of the literature
- 1Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- 2Division of Radiology, Department of Radiation Sciences in the School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Professor G Modi, Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, PO Box 909, Lenasia, 1820, South Africa; gmodicns{at}mweb.co.za
- Received 14 October 2006
- Revised 30 December 2006
- Accepted 3 January 2007
- Published Online First 12 January 2007
Abstract
Background and purpose: Aneurysms have been described in HIV infected patients. These involve predominantly extracranial blood vessels with specific histological and clinical features. Intracranial aneurysms are rare and have been identified mainly in children.
Methods: Case reports and literature review.
Results: Three black South African HIV positive adult patients with intracranial aneurysms were identified. The clinical, laboratory and radiological features are described.
Conclusions: Intracranial aneurysms occur in both adults and children infected with HIV. More information is required on this association. The frequency in terms of numbers of cases indicates that it is an uncommon association or manifestation of HIV. The characteristics of the aneurysms suggest that they are distinctive and not a chance or coincidental co-occurrence of congenital or arteriosclerotic aneurysms.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: None.
