Prevalence of asymptomatic incidental aneurysms: a review of 2,685 computed tomographic angiograms

Abstract

Objective: Intracranial aneurysms are a public health issue with a potential for rupturing, causing significant morbidity/mortality. The prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, including those that are asymptomatic, varies widely, as it has been determined through autopsy studies as well as conventional angiography. However, computed tomography angiography, a less invasive procedure, has replaced the use of conventional angiography in the recent decades. The objective of the present study is to determine the prevalence of incidental aneurysms.

Methods: The present study reviews all computed tomography angiography cases within the past decade at a single institution.

Results: Of 2195 cases included in the study, 39 (1.8%) were found to have asymptomatic unruptured aneurysms.

Conclusions: The numbers of asymptomatic incidental aneurysms have increased.

Keywords: Aneurysms; Asymptomatic incidental aneurysms; CTA; Computed tomography angiography; Intracranial aneurysms; Prevalence; Unruptured aneurysms.