Intracranial aneurysms in sickle cell patients: report of 2 cases and review of the literature

Surg Neurol. 2009 Sep;72(3):296-9; discussion 299. doi: 10.1016/j.surneu.2008.03.044. Epub 2008 Jul 9.

Abstract

Background: The sickle cell disease has different neurologic complications, including cerebral aneurysms. This disease may lead to endothelial damage, which favors the development of cerebral aneurysms. Only a few cases demonstrated by cerebral angiography or surgery have been reported in the English literature referring to cerebral aneurysms in sickle cell patients.

Case description: We report 2 patients with sickle cell disease whose cerebral aneurysms were successfully treated by open surgery.

Conclusion: Sickle cell patients have a high occurrence of multiple aneurysms, and a high prevalence of posterior circulation aneurysms. This must be interpreted with caution, and further studies are needed to confirm this association.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / complications*
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / complications*
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome