Intracranial aneurysms in an African country

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Characteristics of intracranial aneurysms display ethnic variations. Data on this disease from the African continent is scarce and often conflicting. AIM: To describe site, age and gender distribution of intracranial aneurysms among Kenyans. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All records of black African patients with a diagnosis of intracranial aneurysms seen at Kenyatta National Hospital, the largest referral hospital in the Eastern and Central African region, over the period from January 1998 to December 2007 were examined for site, age and gender distribution. The data gathered were coded, analyzed with SPSS 11.50. RESULTS: Fifty-six cases of intracranial aneurysms were analyzed. The posterior communicating artery was the most affected (35.7%), followed by the anterior communicating artery (26.8%), while the posterior cerebral artery was the least affected (2%). Multiple aneurysms were present in 2%. The mean age at presentation was 50.9 years (range 21-80 years) and the gender distribution was equal. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial aneurysms among Kenyans occur most commonly on the posterior communicating artery, in young individuals, and without gender bias. The distribution differs from that described in the literature and this requires search for risk factors.