Unruptured intracranial aneurysms in polycystic kidney disease.

To detect unruptured intracranial aneurysms, we performed cerebral angiography in five patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) who had no neurological deficits and no history of subarachnoid haemorrhage. Three of the five patients had unruptured intracranial aneurysms and two underwent surgery with no mortality or morbidity. Our review of the literature revealed that the surgical risk of unruptured intracranial aneurysms is smaller than the risk of bleeding in conservatively treated patients. We discuss the importance of an early diagnosis, and early operation for unruptured aneurysms in patients with polycystic kidney disease and stress the need for intensive care for their renal dysfunction and hypertension during and after the operation.