Prevalence of Intracranial Aneurysms in Patients with Aortic Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Previous studies have suggested an association between aortic aneurysms and intracranial aneurysms with a higher prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in patients with aortic aneurysms. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the incidence of intracranial aneurysms in a large cohort of patients with aortic aneurysms and to identify potential risk factors for intracranial aneurysms in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS We included all patients with aortic aneurysms (either abdominal and/or thoracic) who had available cerebral arterial imaging and were seen at our institution during a 15-year period. We identified patients with intracranial aneurysms. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and aortic aneurysm and intracranial aneurysm sizes and locations were analyzed. Univariate analysis was performed with a χ(2) test for categoric variables and a Student t test or ANOVA for continuous variables. RESULTS A total of 1081 patients with aortic aneurysms were included. Of them, 440 (40.7%) had abdominal aortic aneurysms, 446 (41.3%) had thoracic aortic aneurysms, and 195 (18.0%) had both abdominal aortic and thoracic aortic aneurysms. The overall prevalence of associated intracranial aneurysms in patients with aortic aneurysms was 11.8% (128/1081), with 12.7% (56/440), 10.8% (48/446), and 12.3% (24/195), respectively, in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, thoracic aortic aneurysms, and both thoracic aortic aneurysms and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Female patients had a higher risk of associated intracranial aneurysms (OR = 2.08; 95% CI, 1.49-3.03; P = .0002). There was a slight association between abdominal aortic aneurysm size and the prevalence of intracranial aneurysms (OR = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03; P = .045). There was no significant association between the locations of the aortic and intracranial aneurysms (P = .93). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of intracranial aneurysms is high in patients with aortic aneurysms. Further studies examining the role and cost-effectiveness of intracranial aneurysm screening in patients are warranted.