Stroke caused by human immunodeficiency virus-associated intracranial large-vessel aneurysmal vasculopathy.

BACKGROUND Intracranial aneurysms related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been well described in pediatric patients but not in adults. OBJECTIVE To describe a case of intracranial large-vessel aneurysmal vasculopathy causing stroke in a 27-year-old HIV-infected woman. DESIGN Comparison of clinical and histological data with previously published cases. SETTING A referral hospital stroke unit. Patient A 27-year-old HIV-infected woman presenting with stroke; neuroimaging demonstrated fusiform aneurysmal dilation of the left internal carotid and the left middle cerebral artery and its branches. RESULTS Autopsy showed degeneration of the elastic lamina, myxoid degeneration, and medial atrophy, causing consequent ectasia of the involved intracranial vessels. CONCLUSION Aneurysmal dilation of the intracranial arteries occurs in HIV-infected adults, but the pathogenic role of HIV remains unknown.