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Saccular intracranial aneurysms in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
W I Schievink1, V E Torres, D G Piepgras
1Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Insights
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is associated with a significant frequency of intracranial aneurysms. Early detection and screening are crucial for managing rupture risk in ADPKD patients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- The association between autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and intracranial aneurysms is primarily documented through limited case reports.
- A comprehensive understanding of the frequency and characteristics of this association is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the association and frequency of intracranial aneurysms in patients with ADPKD.
- To analyze the clinical presentation, aneurysm characteristics, and risk factors in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records of ADPKD patients with intracranial aneurysms and ADPKD autopsy cases at Mayo Clinic (1950-1989).
- Inclusion of Rochester residents with subarachnoid hemorrhage or ADPKD (1945-1984).
- Analysis of patient demographics, aneurysm location and size, clinical presentation, and family history.
Main Results:
- 41 patients with ADPKD and intracranial aneurysms were identified; 33 presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- Common aneurysm locations included the middle cerebral artery (23), anterior communicating artery (16), and internal carotid artery (11).
- 22.5% of ADPKD autopsy cases (N=89) exhibited intracranial aneurysms; smaller aneurysms (<5 mm) were less likely to rupture.
Conclusions:
- Intracranial aneurysms are a significant complication in ADPKD patients, often presenting as subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- Aneurysmal rupture typically occurs before age 50, highlighting the need for vigilant screening and management in ADPKD populations.
Abstract:
The literature on the association of intracranial aneurysms in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) consists mainly of case reports and small series of patients. To provide a more-detailed description of this association and its frequency, the records of all ADPKD patients with saccular intracranial aneurysms, all ADPKD autopsy cases including brain examination, and sex- and age-matched autopsy cases without ADPKD seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1950 and 1989 and of all Rochester residents with a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage or ADPKD between 1945 and 1984 were reviewed. The presentation of the 41 patients (22 men and 19 women; mean age, 46.4 yr) with this association was subarachnoid hemorrhage in 33, transient ischemic attacks in 2, incidental angiographic or autopsy finding in 5, and discovery during angiographic screening in 1. Thirty-one, seven, and three patients harbored one, two, and three aneurysms, respectively, arising from the middle cerebral artery (N = 23), anterior communicating artery (N = 16), internal carotid artery (N = 11), and vertebral or basilar artery (N = 4). A family history of intracranial aneurysm, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or intracranial hemorrhage at an early age was present in 22% of the patients. Small aneurysms (less than 5 mm) were less likely to have ruptured or caused symptoms (P less than 0.04). There was a trend for hypertension to be associated with the severity of the subarachnoid hemorrhage. Aneurysmal rupture occurred before age 50 in 64% of patients. Of the 89 ADPKD autopsy cases with brain examination, 22.5% had intracranial aneurysms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)