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.