Multiple saccular cerebral aneurysms associated with systemic lupus erythematosus--case report

A rare case of multiple saccular cerebral aneurysms in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is presented. The aneurysms were located at the junction of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) and the posterior communicating artery (PComA), at the anterior communicating artery, at the middle cerebral artery, at the junction of the right ICA and the PComA, and at the top of the basilar artery. All the aneurysms, except for the one on the basilar artery, which was unruptured, were successfully clipped. Histopathological examination of one resected aneurysmal dome confirmed the diagnosis of transmural arteritis secondary to SLE. Postoperatively, she died of a massive hemorrhage from a rectal ulcer. The etiology and prognosis of cerebral aneurysms in SLE are discussed.