Racial bias in intracranial arterial aneurysms?

Low incidence of intracranial arterial aneurysms has been reported from India, Iran, and many parts of Africa. From Enugu, Nigeria, five proven cases and two suspected cases of intracranial arterial aneurysms are reported over a three year period. Only one of these was situated in the anterior communicating artery, the others were in the region of the posterior communicating artery. The epidemiology and pathogenesis of aneurysms are reviewed. According to the experience reported intracranial aneurysm in Nigerians is not different from that in Caucasians. Research efforts should be focused on congenital factors rather than on the acquired ones which are common in Nigeria.