Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. Case report

A 54-year-old human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected homosexual Japanese male was found to have collapsed in his bathroom and was brought to our facility with diminished level of consciousness. Computed tomography showed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). He was severely dehydrated with unstable general status that deterred us from performing emergent surgery. Cerebral angiography performed on the 18th hospital day revealed bilateral distal anterior cerebral artery aneurysms. Clipping of these aneurysms was performed on the 30th hospital day and no postoperative complications were experienced. The scalp wound showed no delayed healing, whereas the tracheostomy wound showed repeated wound dehiscence and delayed healing. Postoperative highly active antiretroviral therapy with antibiotic treatment gradually improved his general and immunological conditions. The patient was finally discharged as independent with mild muscle weakness in the bilateral lower extremities. HIV-1 infection should not be the guiding factor in the decision to aggressively treat concomitant aneurysmal disease. Clipping of cerebral aneurysms with full craniotomy or endovascular obliteration should be considered even in HIV-1-infected patients with SAH.