Intracranial aneurysm as extra-renal manifestation of polycystic kidney disease – A case report

Abstract

Introduction. Polycystic kidney disease is a hereditary kidney disease characterized by the occurrence of cysts (fluid-filled enlargements) in cortex or medula of the kidney, and is inherited in an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive manner. In addition to multiple cysts in kidneys, there may be many extra-renal manifestations (cysts of the liver, pancreas, lungs, heart, etc.), among which the most serious one is intracranial aneurysms. Case report. A 57-year-old female patient with polycystic kidney disease and stage IV renal failure was hospitalized at our clinic due to decreased renal function, the development of urinary tract infections, headaches and unregulated blood pressure despite the usual treatment. This patient also had a number of associated diseases: obesity, diabetes mellitus (the insulindependent type), hypothyroidism, and depression syndrome. After better regulation of blood pressure, resolved urinary tract infections and improved renal function, there were still persistent headaches (resulting in the excessive use of analgesics). With adequate preparation, multislice computed tomography (MSCT) angiography of blood vessels of the head was performed. As a result, we diagnosed the saccular intracranial aneurysm (IA) with anterior localization. Regarding the symptoms, age and comorbidity, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was performed, and showed saccular IA (5.2 mm × 4 mm), with wide neck affecting both middle cerebral artery branches (MCA). During the procedure the stent was placed, which filled the aneurysm with spirals, cutting it off from circulation. After the successful procedure and without further complications, the patient no longer had headaches and blood pressure was maintained within the required limits with stable parameters of chronic renal failure. Conclusion. The case of the patient with polycystic kidney disease, stage IV chronic renal failure, with a number of comorbidities (headache, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism) and diagnosed with symptomatic intracranial aneurysm was successfully solved with a multidisciplinary approach, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in daily practice.