POLYARTERITIS WITH SYMPTOMATIC INTRACEREBRAL ANEURYSMS AT INITIAL PRESENTATION

Polyarteritis rarely involves the cerebral vasculature, and has not be en reported to have an initial presentation with intracerebral aneurys ms. We describe the first case of polyarteritis presenting with sympto matic intracerebral aneurysms. A literature review from 1966 to 1997 i dentified 5 additional cases with evidence of intracerebral aneurysms and polyarteritis. The cases reviewed all had evidence of longstanding systemic symptoms suggestive of polyarteritis prior to diagnosis. Pol yarteritis with intracerebral aneurysms is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and therefore must be recognized and treated early.