Medknow Publications on behalf of the Neurological Society of India
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