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

Abstract

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. The present study reviews all computed tomography angiography cases within the past decade at a single institution. Of 2195 cases included in the study, 39 (1.8%) were found to have asymptomatic unruptured aneurysms. The numbers of asymptomatic incidental aneurysms have increased.